Football Presse

Aston Villa hand new contract to academy midfielder Jack McGrath

·By Paul Vegas
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Aston Villa hand new contract to academy midfielder Jack McGrath

Aston Villa/X.com

Aston Villa have handed academy midfielder Jack McGrath a new contract after the 18-year-old made progress with their Under-21s and represented Scotland at youth level.

The 18-year-old joined Villa from Birmingham City in 2021 and signed his first professional deal last October. A lifelong supporter of the club, he has since progressed into the Under-21 set-up and has featured in Premier League 2, the UEFA Youth League and the Jersey Mike’s Trophy during the current campaign.

Aston Villa’s announcement included praise from academy manager Mark Harrison, who said the new agreement recognised McGrath’s progress and potential.

“We are delighted to see Jack sign a new contract.

“We have been really pleased with his development and progress over the last year, and this new contract is a reward for this, but also the potential he is showing. It is important he stays focused on his development.

“He has become a regular member of our Under-21 squad and was also recently called up for Scotland’s Under-19s.

“Jack is also a lifelong Villa fan – we look forward to seeing how he develops over the next few years.”

The contract gives McGrath further security as he works towards the next stage of his career. His recent involvement with Scotland’s youth side adds an international dimension to his development, while regular football at Under-21 level is giving him opportunities to test himself against older players.

Villa have continued to provide a pathway for academy prospects through their development teams, with McGrath now looking to build on his progress and move closer to senior football. The club’s immediate message is that the new deal marks a step forward, but continued improvement remains the priority for the young midfielder.