The Club is pleased to announce goalkeeping duo Michael Allen and Alfie McNally have both signed their first professional contracts.
17-year-old stopper Allen has impressed since stepping up as a scholar prior to the 2021/22 campaign. He made 12 league appearances, most notably starting in our Premier League Cup Final clash with Chelsea. Although the game ended in defeat, Michael made a number of excellent saves in front of a large home crowd.
Allen spoke of his delight after taking another big career step:
"I'm very pleased to have signed my first professional contract, especially as I’ve been here at the club from such a young age. It’s also a massive moment for me and my family as they’ve helped me so much over the last decade, from driving me up to training and games to their support off the pitch, it’s an incredible feeling.
"I’ve enjoyed every minute in every age group at this club. From playing in the younger age groups, with just seven of us on a small pitch kicking a football around to playing competitively in the Under-18s, playing in a cup final, and playing abroad. It’s been a very good journey with lots of ups and downs."
The Academy have enjoyed plenty of success when it comes to developing young goalkeepers, with Marek Rodák and Marcus Bettinelli springing to mind.
"Obviously I'd love to have a career like those two and achieve what they’ve achieved. It does give me even more motivation as I’ve looked up to both of them from a young age, and both have played a big part for the club.
"But at the end of the day, it all comes down to me. I’m the only one who can mess it up, but I’m also the one who can try and make it happen."
Since joining us from Brentford at the age of 12, McNally worked his way up the Academy ranks before making his first Under-18s appearances midway through the 2020/21 season.
Soon after, he joined Non-League side Ashford Town and kept a clean sheet on his debut, before picking up the Man of the Match Award afterwards. He made two appearances for our Under-21s last season, and will be hoping that after extending his stay here, he can push towards more regular PL2 football.
"I’m delighted to extend my stay at Fulham," McNally said. "I’ve been at the club for six years now and it feels like my first big accomplishment and I’m looking forward to what’s to come.
"The main reason I want to continue my journey here is that there are still lots of things I can get better at and I don’t think there’s a better place to help me do that than Fulham.
"My main aims in the years to come are to be in and around the First Team."
Academy Director Mike Cave added:
“I’m delighted that both Mikey and Alfie have agreed to extend their time with the Club by signing their professional contracts.
"Both have contributed fantastically, not just this season with the Under-18s and Under-21s, but throughout the age groups having joined us at eight and 12 respectively. This achievement is testament to their hard-work and I have no doubt there are even more exciting milestones ahead”.
