Sam Hughes described signing his first professional contract with Chester FC as a ‘dream come true’.
The teenager has been rewarded for an impressive pre-season having stepped up to the first-team squad after two seasons with the club’s youth team.
Hughes signed a 12-month deal prior to the game with Liverpool under-21s on Wednesday night and then scored the second goal in a 4-0 victory.
The 18-year-old midfielder, who had kind words for youth team boss Calum McIntyre and his assistant Paul Kelly, scored in the 4-1 win at Stalybridge Celtic four days earlier and hopes to build on his impressive start.
Hughes said: “It’s a great feeling, I’m very happy to have signed. It’s a dream come true, I’m going to be playing football week in, week out for a great club and I’m absolutely thrilled to bits and made up.
“I had a great two years under Calum McIntyre and Paul Kelly, they are great coaches and Calum’s a fantastic manager. I played some of my best football for the youth team and hopefully I can carry that on.”
IN PICTURES: Action from Chester FC 4 Liverpool U21s 0
Hughes has made a smooth transition to senior football so far and although he recognises he still has much to do, he is determined to keep learning from manager Steve Burr, first-team coach Jon McCarthy and others as he attempts to cement his place in the squad.
He said: “It definitely is a step up because you’re going into men’s football and the pace of the game is a lot quicker but that’s something I’ll have to adapt to and I believe in myself that I can adapt to it quickly and do all I can for this club.
“At the minute, one of my biggest targets is to try and get a place in this team. I’m a young lad at 18 years of age but that’s not going to stop me trying to fight for my place.
“I always take advice from everyone, not just my managers. I always want to improve as a player so any help I can get from anyone else is a bonus to me.
“In the future I just want to try and fulfil my potential. I think that’s the biggest thing I can do to try and work my way up the ladder and go as far as I can with Chester. Like it is with most of the lads in the squad, it’s all about trying to improve and trying to do your best.
Chester invited the Hughes family to the Lookers Vauxhall Stadium for his contract signing and the youngster is grateful for the support he has received from those around him
“I’ve got to give a massive thank you to them because without them I wouldn’t be where I am today,” said Hughes.
“My grandad has been a massive help to me. He takes me absolutely everywhere and even now he still does.
“They’ve been a great support to me and I’m very thankful for that. They’re pretty proud of me and they were made up to hear when I’d been offered a contract.”
