Highly-rated striker signs professional terms with Blackpool after bagging 13 goals for youth team

The striker, who has scored 13 goals for the youth team so far this season, has signed an initial 18-month deal with the option to extend by a further year.

The 19-year-old becomes the second youth-teamer to agree pro terms this season, following in the footsteps of Rob Apter who put pen to paper in November.

Cameron Antwi and Brad Holmes also signed professional deals during the summer.

“It means a lot to me and my family,” Bange said.

“I’ve been here for 11 years now and I’ve been working towards this day since then. I can only thank my family and the staff for helping me to get here.

“The hard work starts now.

“I know it’s a big step up, but I’m willing to put the work in to get to that level. Hopefully I can help the team out in the future.”

Having progressed through the academy to break into the youth team setup at the age of 15, Bange has been a consistent performer for the Under-18s and even debuted for the first-team in the EFL Trophy game against Carlisle United in October 2019.

A third-year scholar prior to signing this deal, Bange has netted three hat-tricks this term, with his most recent coming away at Oldham Athletic earlier this month.

Academy Director Ciaran Donnelly added: “It gives the academy a great deal of pride seeing Ewan sign his first professional contract with the club.

“Ewan joined the club as an eight-year-old and has progressed through the pathway over the last 11 years to this point.

“He is a unique player that has lots of potential and we are looking forward to seeing how he develops as he makes his first steps into senior football in the coming months.

“He has had a few opportunities to play and train with the first-team and with careful nurturing, I am really hopeful that he can make that step into our first-team in the next couple of seasons.”

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