Everton youngster Reece Welch has signed his first professional contract with the club.
The defender has put pen-to-paper on a three-year deal which will keep him at Goodison Park until June 2023.
The 17-year-old has been part of the Blues Academy set-up for 11 years, having joined the club aged eight.
The Huddersfield-born teenager has been capped by England at Under-16 and Under-17 level and is currently part of Paul Tait’s Under-18s team.
Welch has so far played every minute as the young Blues have enjoyed a fine start to their 2020/21 season.
Tait’s team kicked off the campaign with a 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers, before drawing 2-2 at reigning U18 Premier League champions Manchester City on Saturday.
“To go toe-to-toe with City was very pleasing,” Tait told evertonfc.com after Saturday's draw. “They are best team we play – that’s been the case for the last three seasons, since I’ve been in this job.
“We conceded early on but turned the game on its head. Sean scored a really good goal, driving forward like he does.
“Then Tom won a penalty and slotted it away. We were in total control of the game and could have had a third or fourth. But we shot ourselves in the foot trying to play out from the back just before half-time, and they capitalised on a mistake to make it 2-2.
“But I’m absolutely delighted with the performance overall."
The centre-back is the eighth member of the club’s Academy set-up to pen a professional deal since the start of July.
