Grimsby Town Football Club can confirm that Academy graduate Luis Adlard has put pen-to-paper on a one-year professional contract with the Mariners.
The eighteen-year-old joins fellow graduate Jaz Goundry in the first-team squad after being offered professional terms at the end of last season by manager Paul Hurst.
We caught up with Adlard who spoke of his delight at signing his deal at his boyhood club.
“It feels great to finally get it sorted. I have been here at the club for eleven years now, so it’s great to show that all the hard work I have put in has paid off.
“I think that getting experience with the first team last season in training and also in the squad shows that I have been given a boost from the youth team system and has shown me that I am ready to make the step forward.
“Neil Woods has been incredible for me. He showed a lot of interest in me and my development whilst I was in the 16’s and drafted me into the youth team when I was in that age group, so that gave me great confidence when I made the step up. I am a very attack-minded player. I like to get in the face of players, run in behind and use my energy on and off the ball. I hope to be able to show that to the fans next year.”
Manager Paul Hurst also spoke to gtfc.co.uk and is happy to continue the progression of the club’s Academy to the first team.
“Luis has been in the system for a number of years at the club and has impressed at each level. It is a credit to the coaches that have worked well with him over the years and it will be a proud moment for everyone now that he has signed his professional contract”, said Hurst.
“Last term he had a good season with Neil and Callum, finishing as top goalscorer and has had some involvement with the first team, culminating with a sub appearance on the last day against Cambridge. He likes to run with the ball and beat players, which are assets I like and know the fans do too.
“The next challenge for Luis is to make the step up to become a regular in the squad and our challenge as staff is to push him and fulfil the potential we believe he has.”
