Teenage striker Mitch Candlin signs three-year deal at Walsall
Walsall have moved to secure the long-term future of Mitch Candlin after the teenage hotshot signed his first professional contract with the club.
The 17-year-old has penned a deal which will keep him at the Banks’s Stadium until the summer of 2020.
Candlin has been tipped for a big future since being handed his first team debut by boss Jon Whitney back in April.
The academy product is currently the club’s fourth-choice striker behind and has been named on the bench in three of this season’s four fixtures, coming on as a substitute in the 1-0 opening day defeat at Bury.
“Mitch has shown great promise since he started to come into the first team,” said Whitney.
“He started back with the academy this summer and his efforts have been exemplary.
“It was great to hand him his professional debut and he has had a great pre-season, getting his goal against Chester.
“He’s got great potential and he reflects our core values so we have rewarded him with his first professional deal.”
Candlin said: "I’m delighted - it’s something I’ve been working towards my whole life.
“I’m happy that I’ve been given the opportunity to do this.
“The coaches have told me to keep my head down and keep working hard.
“I’ve just got to wait, give it my all in training and my chance will come.”
