Manchester United defender Rhys Bennett has signed his first professional contract with the club.
Bennett, 18, has been a regular for United at U18s level and is now expected to make the gradual step-up to U23s over the course of his new deal.
The teenage centre-back has made a total of 25 appearances for the club at U18s as well as four starts in the Youth League this season as United won their group to qualify for the knockout stage.
Bennett already has two U23s appearances to his name this season as well and can expect more in the coming months following the loan departure of Teden Mengi this month.
Taking to social media, Bennett shared his delight but admitted there was a lot of hard work to do if he was to ever make it at United.
"Happy to announce I’ve signed my first professional contract at the biggest club in the world," he said. "Thanks to my friends and family for their support, hard work starts now."
Bennett and young goalkeeper Dermot Mee both gained priceless Football League experience last November when they spent a week at AFC Wimbledon.
The teenage duo spent time with the League One club as part of United's innovative 'pro experience programme' which is designed to give academy players a real taste of daily life as a professional footballer.
