Us fans absolutely love it when ‘one of our own’ is selected to start for Spurs in a senior match for the first time, and this year we have already enjoyed watching the likes of Harvey White, Alfie Whiteman and Dane Scarlett make their first team debuts for the club.
Currently, Harry Kane leads the list of homegrown talents who are regularly playing in the first team currently, which also includes Harry Winks and Japhet Tanganga, while Oliver Skipp is expected to play an important role next season after impressing greatly on-loan at Norwich.
In the meantime, the club’s next generation of stars below Skipp’s are now being looked at by the management team and upper hierarchy, as professional contracts have begun to be dished out.
Academy players Matthew Craig, Michael Craig, Dermi Lusala and Romaine Mundle have signed their first professional contracts with the Club ✍️
Congratulations, lads! 👏#THFC ⚪️ #COYS
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) May 5, 2021
Romaine Mundle and Dermi Lusala have both signed one-year contracts, while twin brothers Michael and Matthew Craig have signed on until 2023.
Dean Rastrick, who is the Academy Manager, said: “We’re delighted that another four members of our second-year group have earned their first professional contracts with the Club.
4 more good young Academy year 2 players signed up to join the Development Squad from 1 July. Local lads too with Mundle & Lusala from Edmonton and The Craig’s from Barnet 💙 https://t.co/4wm9HiVHDR
— Lilywhite Rose (@Lilywhite_Rose) May 5, 2021
“In the case of all four players, this is testament to the hard work and dedication, with the support of their families, that they have shown over the years in our Academy.
“This is the first rung of the ladder towards their senior careers and I, along with the Academy staff, look forward to seeing how they progress and develop over the seasons ahead.”
Mundle, who has just turned 18, is a central midfielder with an eye for a goal who has along with Micheal Craig, have also in recent weeks played their first games for the U23s.
Michael Craig (17) and Romaine Mundle (17) made their first start for the U23s today. 👏 pic.twitter.com/CJd0Hd1jP6
— thfcreport Academy (@thfcreportAcad) March 19, 2021
Michael is also a central midfielder, known for his work-rate and stamina, having won the district 800m race while Dame Alice Owen’s School, but he can play in a slightly more advanced position too.
Matthew is a slightly more defensive midfielder who loves to tackle and win the ball back for the team, while Lusala is a very exciting right back who marauds up and down that flank, putting in crosses and then making tackles and interceptions up the other end.