The Iron can confirm trainee central defender Leslie Sackey has been offered a professional contract with the club.
The 18-year-old joined United’s academy from Reading two years ago. He is 6ft tall and also capable of playing as a striker.
Sackey travelled with the first team squad for last week’s away League One game at Millwall and has put in a number of excellent performances for the Under-18 side over the past couple of campaigns.
“It is a fantastic opportunity for Leslie. He’s worked very hard over the two years of his apprenticeship,” said academy manager Tony Daws.
“We’re really pleased because he’s done well in our environment as an academy player and he’s also done well when he’s stepped up and trained with the first team squad.
“It was a great eye-opener for him travelling to Millwall. He will have seen what it’s all about and hopefully it will have given him the appetite to want more. It just shows him what he’s here for, and what it’s all about.
“If he works hard, we hope to see him progress. He’s good at attacking and heading the ball. He has a terrific spring and is also quick. He’s a good size, left-footed, is technically very good and also a strong, solid defender.
“Working in the first team environment with players who are older, bigger and more experienced than him should really challenge him and bring him on.”
Fellow second year trainee Lewis Butroid (left-back) signed a professional contract in January, while first year trainee Adam Kelsey (goalkeeper) also penned a deal. Click here to see the story.
The club would like to thank James Dean-Atkinson, George Barmby, Nate Sithole, Lewis McMichael and Joe Parker for their efforts while with the club.
“James has been with us since Under-9’s and has come right through the academy system,” added Daws.
“He is a fantastic lad and a very versatile player, who has played in numerous positions.
“George has been really unfortunate with injuries over the course of his apprenticeship. He’s a fantastic lad with a great attitude and works his socks off.
“Nate came in late to us from grassroots football at the end of his Under-16 season. He’s made a lot of progress over the two years. He’s an athletic, quick left-footed midfield player who is technically good.
“Lewis is a right-footed full-back or midfielder who has done ever so well while with us. He’s been with us since Under-9’s.
“Joe Parker is a goalkeeper who has been out on loan to Allerton and is currently training with Tamworth. It’s difficult for Joe because we have Rory Watson in front of him and then behind him we have Adam Kelsey. He’s a good goalkeeper but he’s a little bit sandwiched by good goalkeepers either side.
“Unfortunately they’ve just not quite made the level required. I’d like to thank all the lads for their efforts over the last two years, they’ve been a fantastic group.
“From an academy perspective, we’re delighted to get two boys signed as professional players. We really feel for the five who haven’t made it, and will try everything we can to help them get trials elsewhere and another club.”
We wish the five departing players all the best for the future.