BURTON Albion Academy product Charlie Williams has signed his first professional deal with the club after impressing in the Brewers youth set up.
The second-year scholar from Redditch arrived at Burton at 15 years of age following seven years in Aston Villa’s youth academy.
Williams, who had previously been named in matchday squads for league games, was handed his professional debut in a 2-1 home defeat to MK Dons in the Papa John’s Trophy earlier this week.
Charlie says receiving a professional deal is what he was dreaming about and can’t wait to see what the future holds with Burton Albion.
“It’s one of those things that I’ve been dreaming about since I came to the club, receiving a pro contract and making my debut," said Williams.
"Although it didn’t exactly go to plan result-wise, I still think it was a good experience for learning and for the future.
“It was weird - I came down to the dressing room and saw my Dad, my Mum and my girlfriend and I thought ‘what are they doing here so early?’ but my Dad knew about it and kept it from me!
“It was a good surprise and it felt great for them to tell me about the contract while all of my family were there.”
Dan Robinson, Brewers Academy Manager, says he is really excited for Charlie after receiving the news, and is pleased with how much he has impressed in pre-season.
"He is an exciting player who came through our late youth phase," said Robinson.
"He is a player that has grabbed the opportunity in pre-season to impress doing well at Belper Town and coming back to further impress the manager and Dino here.
"To also get his debut for the club, I am really excited for him."
"Charlie has been doing very well in matches and in training and he has earned this opportunity," said manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
"He has been keen to get on the pitch and deserved to make his debut against MK Dons.
"It's also another example of the brilliant work being done by our Academy in bringing through good players but also good people, like Charlie."