Famewo pens first professional deal at Luton

Luton Town have confirmed second year scholar Akin Famewo has signed his first professional contract at Kenilworth Road this afternoon.
Akin FamewoAkin Famewo
Akin Famewo

The 17-year-old defender, who was part last season’s successful FA Youth Cup side, has been with the club since he was 10 and travelled to Hungary for the recent pre-season training camp and played in the goalless draw with Paksi FC.

Famewo also featured in Luton’s first pre-seasong game on domestic soil at the weekend, as he partnered Frankie Musonda in the centre of defence, during Saturday’s 9-0 friendly win at Bedford Town.

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Speaking to the club’s official website, he said: “It’s a dream come true to finally sign my first pro contract. It’s a tick – a small step in the right direction – and hopefully there are many more to come.

“I was just going into U10s when I joined the club and it feels a long time ago. I’ve come through every single step from centre of excellence to here now, so I definitely don’t take it for granted.”

Asked how he has found settling into the senior squad, Famewo said: “They’ve all been so nice and supportive. When I was walking out here to do this interview they were all clapping me and saying congratulations. It’s just a good environment.

“I feel this team this year is very close, especially because we went away on tour together and were forced to be around each other constantly, so it was good bonding.

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“I’m always going to them after training and asking them for pointers, because they’ve got the knowledge and experience. It’s great to be around people who know so much and can teach me so much.”

Akin follows Musonda, goalkeeper Liam Gooch and midfielder Alex Atkinson in signing first-year professional forms in recent weeks as Hatters boss Nathan Jones added: “This is a reward for the progress Akin’s shown for the time that I’ve been here, and even before I came.

“The youth team were very successful last year, which enabled him to come into our eye and since he’s been on our radar, he’s done very well.

“We took him away and he didn’t look out of place. He’s getting better day by day.

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“We saw in the game the other day that as a centre-half, he’s an excellent prospect. But he’s one that we want to invest a lot of time in, and one that we hope will get even better.

“He has lots of good attributes – he’s big, strong, very aggressive, mobile, left-footed – and this gives him an opportunity to train at an increased tempo, at an increased level, to try and push him on to where we want him to be.

“We are delighted that his family and the people who look after him have trusted us with him, because he’s one who would attract a certain amount of attention.

“But we see a pathway here and it reiterates that if they are good enough, they’ll get opportunities. Akin sees that. He has a real desire to do well for Luton Town and that’s the type we want here.

“We’re delighted to have him and we hope that he’s going to be at Luton for a long time and going to be very successful here.”

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