Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell says the club is keen for highly-rated teenager Jake Richards to sign his first professional deal.
The 17-year-old scored his first goal for the club against Tottenham’s Under-21 side in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday, with the academy player saying the moment was a “dream come true”.
Richards made his Exeter City debut in the Carabao Cup in August 2023 and has played 14 times for the club in all competitions – including six games in League One.
But despite having a number of contract offers, Richards is still to agree a first professional deal.
“I think it’s clear we want to keep Jake Richards at the football club,” Caldwell told BBC Radio Devon.
“He’s progressing well. There’s not many 16-year-olds make their debut in League One – he has.
“He’s had games since then. This year he’s not had so much in terms of league games, but he has played in the Premier League Cup, he’s played in the EFL Trophy, so for me he’s had a brilliant games programme.
“We see a big future for him here, but ultimately we have to get that decided between player, agent and club to get him signed up, and as yet that’s not happened.”
Exeter have a rich history of nurturing young players who go on to play at higher levels – the likes of Ollie Watkins and Ethan Ampadu have played internationally while players such as Jay Stansfield, Josh Key, Joel Randall and Matt Grimes have all gone on to have successful careers after leaving the club.
Caldwell says if Richards does decide to leave the club, Exeter will ensure they are compensated for his development.
“If he does see his future away from this football club, then, as we’ve seen recently with Josh Key and other players, we get the compensation that we deserve for giving him the development we have for a number of years, giving him the opportunity at 16 years old.
“So we are comfortable either way, but we really want to keep him at this club and make him part of what we’re doing in the first team for a number of years yet.”