The Club is delighted to announce that Josh King, Ollie Gofford and Bradley De Jesus have all signed their first professional deals.
Our Academy trio have played a key role for Ali Melloul's Under-18s side over the past 12 months, with their consistently impressive performances helping them to earn appearances at Under-21s level.
Josh King
After featuring in a handful of Under-18 league games and two FA Youth Cup games last season, young Josh King made the permanent step up to full-time football in the summer. After shining at 18s level, Josh has very quickly begun making appearances for Hayden Mullins' Under-21s.
He enjoyed a dream 21s debut in the Premier League Cup, scoring an excellent goal to help the young Whites to a dominant 4-0 win over Leicester City. He was on the scoresheet in an even more important game a couple of months later, scoring the first of two goals in our 18s' narrow win at Cardiff City in the FA Youth Cup Third Round.
Josh has also left his mark on the international scene, having captained England at Under-16s level.
"I’m delighted to be signing a professional contract here at Fulham," he said. "It has always been a dream of mine to sign at this Club since I joined at the age of six years old, and now it feels like a second home.
"I've loved my journey here so far and have felt that the Club has always helped me to develop whilst still enjoying my football through a lot of different challenges."
On the people who have helped along the way, Josh said: "Lots of coaches and players have had a big impact on my career, but I'd have to give the most credit to my family who have always kept me humble and tried to support me with my aspirations.
"My message to the fans would be that I am willing to put my heart on the line for this club and hopefully with continued hard work and dedication, I will one day be given an opportunity to wear the Fulham badge with the First Team."
Ollie Gofford
The dynamic midfielder who joined us at Under-9s is currently playing out his second full Under-18s campaign with the club.
He made a dream 21s debut last season, scoring in a 3-2 win over Brighton and Hove Albion and has played a part at the older level this season too.
"I’ve been at Fulham for a very long time now, so I’m just very pleased to get it done and I’m excited for the future.
"I’ve been with the Under-18s for two seasons now, so I’m just trying to push as much as I can, maybe get into the Under-21s, and just try and impress the people up above. Every time I come in here I feel safe and I feel so welcome every time I step in this Club.
"I’ve been here about 10 years now, so to sign a pro deal is unbelievable."
Bradley De Jesus
Bradley has gained plenty of Under-21s exposure this season after impressing within the 18s group with his marauding style as an attacking right-back.
Like Josh, the 17-year-old has also been handed international exposure on numerous occasions but with Portugal.
"I’m very pleased to be signing at this Club," he told fulhamfc.com. "It’s a big achievement for me and hopefully it’s just a start of a very long journey here. There have been loads of ups and downs but it’s been mostly positive and I’m excited to keep making good memories here.
"My main aim moving forward is to establish myself in the Under-21 side. I’ve made quite a lot of appearances but I really want to work towards getting consistent minutes.
"There is a lot of good competition in that position, like Devan Tanton for example. I look up to him and want to take bits from his game and having him as competition is only going to do me good and push me to get better every day.
"So many people have helped me on my journey, but I'd like to mention my current coach Ali Melloul. He’s made my transition into right back a lot easier with his guidance and has showed a lot of trust in me in the last year and I can only thank him for that."
Sean Cullen also sat down with fulhamfc.com to discuss the signings.
"Josh is a graceful and creative player who consistently produces moments of real quality. He's a pleasure to watch when he is in possession, but also works incredibly hard to win the ball back for his team when out of possession.
"Josh has made the step up from Under-18s football into our Under-21s already this season and has continued to move through the England pathway.
"Ollie has also set really high standards, in all areas of the programme, not just for himself but also his teammates. He's a versatile box-to-box midfielder who works incredibly hard, Oliver is a competitor who sets the tone in games and in training.
"He is an intelligent player, who scores goals by making well timed runs into the opposition’s box. A strong personality in the Under-18s group.
"Bradley initially joined the Academy as an attacking player, but transitioned into a full back at the start of his Under-17s year. He has developed into an exciting modern full back.
"He enjoys getting forward and linking up with the attacking play, and has worked hard to develop his defensive skills. Bradley uses his physical gifts to win his 1v1 duels, but increasingly has developed his technical understanding of the full-back position to become a well-rounded defender."
