TALENTED young goalkeeper Adam Parkes has secured his first professional contract with Southampton.

The Weymouth-born shot stopper sat down alongside former Terras’ boss and Saints’ academy manager Matty Hale and head of football development Les Reed to pen a contract that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2019.

Speaking about the deal to the club website, Parkes, who has been with Southampton since the age of 10, said: “I am very happy.

“For most young people it’s a dream to get a professional contract in football, so it’s really time for me to kick on from here now.

“It’s been a lot of hard work over the years. Not just for me but also for my parents and everyone that has helped me along the way – so I am really happy.

“It’s been a pleasure to be here for such a long time. The facilities have developed ever since I’ve been here, as has my game.”

“My season so far has been full of ups and downs,” he continued.

“But I am very happy where I am now and my aim is to break into the Under-23s more, as well playing regularly for the Under-18s.

“Hopefully then I might get the chance to have a few sessions with the first team - that would be great for me.”

Parkes was unearthed playing in Weymouth by youth coach Tim Davis when he was around six.

Speaking about the youngster in an interview with Echosport earlier this year, Davis said: “I just went to Holy Trinity to do an after-school club, met him there and took him to Weymouth Youth.

“I knew straight away he had the ability.

He added: “We did a penalty shoot-out at one of Weymouth’s home games and we put him in goal with loads of kids taking shots at him.

“He just wowed the crowd and the kids just could not beat him.

“I have nothing but praise for him. He has shown the dedication and moved his career on.”

The contract at St Mary's caps off an exciting year for Parkes, who was also selected to represent England Under-17s in the Algarve Tournament back in February, pitting his wits against some of the best young talent across Europe.