Oxford United are pleased to announce that young defender Nico Jones has signed his first professional contract.
The 17-year-old centre half this morning signed a two year deal, with an option for a further year, having stepped up from the youth team to make his first senior appearances towards the end of last season.
“I am ecstatic to see him sign” Karl Robinson told us. “He has all the attributes to go all the way to the top provided he keeps learning and keeps doing the right things.
"Last season he came on as a sub for his debut and looked like he had always played league football. Then we left him in against Doncaster and Luton where he came up against two of the best strikers in the division and I was impressed with the way he stood up to those tests. Now it’s up to him to keep progressing and it is another big plus for everyone at the Academy who are doing a fantastic job in helping these young players come through.
Nico told us:
“I can’t thank everyone at Oxford enough for giving me this chance. I mean everyone; coaches, staff, the whole club because they have been brilliant for me ever since I joined. Playing first team football was the target last year, now I want to work hard in pre-season and try and be part of the first team squad regularly in the new season."