A WORCESTER footballer has signed his first professional contract with Coca-Cola League Two side Shrewsbury Town.

Harry Hooman, 18, of Warndon Villages, was offered the contract after impressing the Shrews first team manager Paul Simpson with an outstanding season as captain of the youth team.

The centre-half is one of only two Shrewsbury youth academy players offered a professional contract from the 2008/09 season’s crop of scholars.

Hooman said: “I can’t wait for next season. I played some games for the reserves last season and I hope to be able to break into the first team although there are quite a few experienced pros in the side.”

A Shrews scout first discovered Hooman in 2007 when he was playing for the University College Worcester Youth FC Under 16s team who played under the university’s umbrella as a junior community club.

The Henwick Road university then supported him by sponsoring the first year of his scholarship at the Prostar Stadium.

Hooman has excelled, winning the Shrews’ 2009 student of the year award and achieving a double distinction in his youth training scheme.

He aims to emulate the success of players like David Beckham and Steven Gerrard who also came up through the ranks of their clubs’ YTS schemes.

The teenager said: “I play centre-half and I try to model my style on the world’s best players in that position such as Manchester United’s Nemanja Vidic.”

Craig Williams, sport and recreation facilities manager at the university, said: “We are all very proud and pleased that Harry has achieved a professional contract at Shrewsbury Town.

“Harry has worked extremely hard over the past few years since his time with University College Worcester Youth FC to get to this level and it is good to see that his hard work and ability has been recognised by the club.

“Through working with Harry, we know that he will continue to work hard at his game and we wish him the best of luck for the future as he makes his way in the professional game.”