Port Vale FC are delighted to announce that Academy graduate, Jack Shorrock, has signed his first professional contract with the club.
The deal will see Jack remain at Vale Park until at least the summer of 2027.
Following his professional debut in the Valiants’ 4-0 EFL Trophy win against Shrewsbury Town, Shorrock would become the youngest-ever player to make a professional appearance for the club at the age of 15 years and 145 days old.
The versatile youngster, now with almost 20 professional appearances to his name, would then go on to become the club’s youngest-ever goal scorer when he netted his first for the club against Barnsley at the age of 16 years and 242 days old.
Speaking of Jack Shorrock’s first professional contract, Port Vale FC manager, Darren Moore, said:
“Jack has been involved within the First Team set up for a good while now and the way that I have seen him adapt and grow within the environment and the professionalism he has shown is a credit to Jack and the support system around him.
“It’s vital that deserving youngsters from our Academy see a clear pathway into the First Team setup and Jack took his opportunities with both hands, which has led to him signing his first professional contract.
“I’d also like to thank Will Ryder and his fantastic team within our Academy for their tireless efforts and constant dialogue to improve the pathway and transition of players from our youth setup to the First Team.
“It’s really exciting for the us to have a young player of Jack’s quality commit their immediate future to the club and myself, along with all of the First Team staff, are all really looking forward to working closely with him over the coming seasons to further his development.”
Academy Director, Will Ryder, added:
“I am absolutely delighted for Jack and unbelievably proud for him signing his first professional football contract with the club.
“Jack has been with the Academy since U15s level, initially as a trialist when I first joined the club. As soon as I saw him play I immediately ensured that we signed him into our programme.
"The way that I have seen him grow as a person off the pitch and as a professional on the pitch is unbelievable.
“He is a player who possesses real quality for his age and is another prime example to the youngsters within our Academy of the rewards that await if you are willing to consistently push and challenge yourself every single day, both on and off the pitch.
“I am excited to see Jack continue his development with the First Team and to go on and become the player that we all know and believe that he can be.”
