SWINDON Town striker Harry Parsons has penned his first professional contract with the club in the form of a two-year deal.

Parsons - whose contract also includes the option to extend by a further year - follows the likes of Scott Twine, Luke Haines, and Archie Matthews in signing professional terms after a spell under the late Alan McLoughlin in Town’s academy set up.

The 18-year-old made his league debut in a 4-2 defeat away at Crewe Alexandra midway through last season, coming on as a late substitution for Tom Broadbent.

The striker then played two minutes in a 2-0 defeat away at Gillingham four days later.

As well as making an impression for his senior side, Parsons played a huge roll as Swindon Town’s under 18s progressed to the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup before falling 3-1 to Ipswich Town at Portman Road.

The striker’s quality and desire to learn saw him regularly included in John Sheridan’s squad later on in last season’s campaign, though the 18-year-old failed to make it onto the pitch in a competitive game as Swindon were relegated back to League Two.

Speaking to Swindon Town’s website, Parsons said: “I’m buzzing to get it signed. To be offered a pro deal at Swindon is amazing. I’ve been here pretty much all my life and it’s great to get started.

“I just want to work hard. The gaffer has been very positive about me so far, so hopefully I can continue to work hard so he can see what I’m about.

“[Training with the first-team] has been good, I’ve gained quite a bit of confidence playing with the boys and I’ve got a pretty good relationship with the players that are still here, so it’ll be good to see them again and get back training.”

The teenager also gave his thanks to those at the academy, in particular the late Alan McLoughlin.

Parsons said: “I want to see thank you to everyone at the academy, but a huge thank you to Macca. He’s not with us, but he’s been a huge part of my life. He pushed me on a lot, never told me to stop and told me to focus. He’s been the one mainly to get me going.”