Tommy Dobson-Ventura, a defender who has been a member of Southampton’s academy since he was eight years old, has signed his first professional contract, which will keep him with the team until 2026. Southampton have announced that Dobson-Ventura, now 17 years old, has done so.
Since he was eight years old, the teenager has been a Saint, and he signed his scholarship contract earlier this summer. Dobson-Ventura moved up to the Under-18s age group last season and played in 15 games, including one at Villa Park during the team’s run to the FA Youth Cup semifinals as a substitute.
A substitute for the final 25 minutes of a road game against Nottingham Forest in March, he has also appeared in Premier League 2. The center back’s next goal is to make the Under-21 team, after which he sees the first team as his destination.
Dobson-Ventura added, “It’s a wonderful accomplishment. Since you were a young boy, it seems to be the goal you have been striving towards. So, signing my first-ever professional contract is really incredible to do in person.Even more so as an under-16 playing up, last season helped me gain confidence. I’m able to assist the boys who haven’t done it before because I’m under 18 now. The [FA Youth] Cup is being run by me in actuality.
The objectives for this year are to “smash it out with the 18s, get performances and results, and hopefully push on with Under-21s football and go from there.”
Andy Goldie, the director of the Academy, shared Dobson-Ventua’s joy and praised the defneder as a natural leader who will now be expected to build on his achievement.
“It’s a proud momentafor Tommy, his family, and all of the Academy staff who have contributed in some small way to his journey thus far,” added Goldie. “We are happy to see another young talent commit his future to the club.”
Tommy’s job now is to sustain those levels in order to allow him to continue to build on the victories he has already won. “During my short time at the club, it’s been evident that Tommy is a real leader within the Under-18s group and someone who demands a lot from himself and others around him,” the coach said.
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