Young defender Lucien Mahovo has signed a professional contract which will keep him at Meadow Lane until at least June 2025.
The 17-year-old made his senior debut in October’s Emirates FA Cup qualifying fixture against Coalville Town and, having also trained regularly with the first team since the summer, has demonstrated sufficient potential to go pro.
Head coach Luke Williams said: “As a club committed to producing our own players, this is fantastic news for everyone – not least for Lucien, who I’ve been really impressed with.
“We have a close working relationship with our academy, who have been brilliant in providing us with several players for our training sessions, and that’s how we first came to know about Lucien.
“Having given him a chance to experience men’s football in our friendlies against Alfreton Town and Cambridge United, I thought he stood up well to a very experienced Coalville front line.
“Of course, there is a huge amount for Lucien to improve on but in the months I’ve worked with him he’s shown considerable potential and, equally importantly, a willingness to learn.
“As a staff, it’s now our job to continue working closely with him to nurture his talents and plan how we can help him become the best player possible.”
Mahovo is in his second year at Meadow Lane after leaving Sheffield United and isn’t only adapting to a new club, but a new position too.
Academy Manager Dan Leivers said: “Lucien had been playing as a winger his whole career, and this is his first season as a defender.
“His development’s gone through the roof – physically he’s really good, he’s very competent on the ball and left footed which is obviously a valuable trait to have.
“He’s recently been on trial at a Championship club and has had interest since then from other clubs at that level, but he’s turned down trials because he wants to stay here.
“I’ve seen him go from strength to strength in the time I’ve been here – he’s a great kid.”
Mahovo has been assigned squad number 31.