Thu 19 Feb
Time to read: 3mins
Callum Guy says it is ‘a dream come true’ to sign professional terms with Derby County.
Callum Guy says it is ‘a dream come true’ to sign professional terms with Derby County.
The 18-year-old midfielder today signed an 18-month professional contract, with the option of a further year.
The second year scholar has progressed right the way through the Club’s Academy system after joining Derby at the age of nine.
He will now move to Derby’s Under 21 side on a full-time basis after impressing when making the step-up to Lee Glover’s squad on a number of occasions this season.
Guy told Rams Player: “It’s a dream come true for me, I have been at the Club for so long and to get my first professional contract is an honour and the proudest moment of my career so far.
“I’m not resting on my laurels, though, it is important for me to kick on and hopefully I can stay at the Club for many years to come.
“I have been here since I was nine, but even then it was not a hard decision to make. I couldn’t say no because of the Club that it is, the facilities that Derby have and for any young player it is a great place to be at.”
He added: “I have progressed from the Under 10s right through to the Under 21s and now the aim is to try and get into the first team squad, which I know won’t be easy.
It’s been a great experience to play with and against some extremely good players at the Under 21 level. I have come up against a lot of senior players and I have got a real taste for it.”
Guy scored twice for Derby’s Under 21 side against Aston Villa on Monday evening, further enhancing his reputation.
He has also moved to thank Academy Manager Darren Wassall and Senior Professional Development Coach Lee Glover for the part they have played in his development.
He said: “I have had a good few weeks and it was great to be back on the scoresheet against Aston Villa, I haven’t scored many goals this year so that is something that I want to keep improving.
“I just want to keep improving, keep earning new contracts, but to get this first contract, the likes of Darren Wassall and Lee Glover deserve a huge amount of credit and I am thankful to them for everything they have done.
“That includes even the little things like the individual meetings to go through what I can improve on.”
Guy has also hailed Derby’s Academy as one of the best in the country.
He explained: “This Academy is one of the best in country, if not the best.
“The facilities are phenomenal and with the new ones that are being added to it, it is an exciting time to be at Derby County.”
