Joshua Kayode signs his first professional deal with Rotherham United...
Rotherham United can confirm that Academy forward Joshua Kayode has penned his first professional contract with the club, signing a deal which will see him remain with the Millers until the summer of 2020.
Kayode was handed his senior debut as a second half substitute in the clash with Manchester City in the Checkatrade Trophy earlier this season and was involved with Paul Warne’s side again in the same competition at Bradford City.
The 17-year-old has impressed in the club’s youth ranks over the last couple of seasons and has been a regular on the scoresheet for Garreth Barker’s side, who achieved a second placed finish in the Youth Alliance League with Kayode a key figure in 2016/17.
Rotherham United Academy manager Barker expressed his pride at seeing another player graduate to the senior setup after Ben Wiles signed a professional deal in the summer.
“It’s great to see another player make the step up and it is a fitting reward for all of the hard work that JJ has put in over the last couple of years,” he told www.themillers.co.uk.
“He has been our main attacking threat in a very good unit and I am delighted that the manager has seen enough in him to offer him a pro deal.
“With the current first team staff, there is a clear pathway from the Academy to the first team and it really ensures that the boys are at their best every single day.
"It has been brilliant from an Academy perspective to see the likes of Akeem Hinds and Reece McGinley involved this season and equally pleasing to see the progress that Ben Wiles has made since being fully immersed in a first team environment.
"JJ is a great lad and has acquitted himself brilliantly both in the first team and reserves games that he has been involved in, so I'm thrilled to see him turn professional."