Football
Sky Blues youngsters sign professional deals

Buy photos » Jordan Willis made his professional debut for the Sky Blues against Southampton earlier this year. (S)

SIX scholars have officially penned professional deals with the Sky Blues as preparations begin for the 2012/13 campaign.

Academy graduates Gael Bigirimana and Cyrus Christie signed their first professional contracts last summer.

And now defenders Joe Henderson, Aaron Phillips, Jordan Willis, midfielders Josh Ruffels and Will Roberts, and striker Billy Daniels are all hoping to follow in their footsteps and break into Andy Thorn's first team next season.

"They’re all good lads, they work hard and it’s important for their future development that they get to spend time with the first team and get into full-time training with them,” said Thorn.

"It’s important for them now that they keep working hard and they take their chance when it comes because for them this is now the latest voyage they have to start in in terms of their professional careers.

"Now is the time for them to keep doing what they’ve been doing and for us to see how they get on in a first team football environment. The goals are there for them to achieve."

All six players committed their immediate futures to the football club after playing starring roles in an impressive Academy campaign in 2011/12.

Under the stewardship of Gregor Rioch and former captain Lee Carsley, the Sky Blues finished second in Premier Academy League Group B.

Full back Willis, centre-half Henderson and wide man Roberts all also racked up first team debuts for the Sky Blues last season.

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