Western United have signed talented academy pair Jordan Lauton and James York to scholarship contracts with the Isuzu UTE A-League side.
Described as “exhilarating young academy talents” by the club, the scholarship deals represent professional contracts for Lauton and York.
Both players made their Isuzu UTE A-League debuts last season, within a week of each other at the start of 2024 – York came off the bench against Western Sydney Wanderers while Lauton followed suit against Sydney FC.
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The teenagers are the sixth and seventh Western Academy players to sign their maiden professional terms in this off-season.
“It has been fantastic to see both Jordan and James benefit from the training and development opportunities in our Academy over three years in that environment,” said general manager of football Mal Impiombato.
“They have provided an example for their peers in the Academy of working on their craft and taking their opportunities when being brought into the first team.
“As with all of the young players that we have handed senior contracts to, we are boisterous about Jordan and James’ potential and I am looking forward to watching them grow further this season and beyond.”
Both Lauton and York both play predominantly in midfield, though they have showed their versatility with York filling in at full-back and centre-back in VPL 1.
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Lauton added: “I’m buzzing to sign the contract for my first pro deal – it’s every footballer’s dream.
“I’m really grateful to have made my debut last season and I’m obviously really committed to hopefully playing many more games.”
“I’m super excited because getting a contract at this club is something I’ve been working
towards for a while,” York said.
“The club has put so much faith in youth which has definitely been felt by all the boys as a motivation to work hard, as the opportunities are there.”
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