Norwich City Academy forward Jon Rowe has signed his first professional contract at the club, keeping him with the Canaries until summer 2023.
The young forward has been progressing well throughout the 2020-21 season, scoring two goals for the Under-18s in the U18 Premier League.
This progression has been further rewarded with appearances for David Wright’s Under-23s, including a start against Middlesbrough U23s in October.
Rowe has also been involved in the Papa John’s Trophy as a substitute, coming on against Newport County’s and MK Dons’ senior sides.
After committing his future to the club with his first professional contract, Rowe said the feeling couldn’t be put into words having been with the club for seven years.
“The feeling is great, honestly. No words can really describe how glad I am to be signing a professional contract at this age. I’m grateful to all my family, the coaches, the staff, all the people in my life that have helped me on my journey.
“The club from when I first started here have always had my back, I can’t fault them on that. I’ve got to appreciate all the things they’ve done for me so far.
“I’m looking forward to what the future holds and what I can bring to this club, I’m really excited.
“I’ve been here for about seven years, so it’s been quite a while. This is the first club I came to, all I wanted to do as a young kid was play football, so as soon as I got the opportunity at Norwich, I was more than willing to take it.
“I’ve come from grassroots football and playing in my area in Wembley, London and ended up here, so I can’t really complain!”
It’s no secret that first-team head coach Daniel Farke gives opportunities to deserving young players coming through the ranks, which is something Rowe says he relishes at the club.
“That’s one thing I really like about this club and my family and friends have noticed it as well, the pathway to the first-team and to proper professional football has really intrigued me.
“I’m glad I can be at a club where they really believe in the youth and the development of the young scholars in the academy.”
As he gets more attuned to the jump of U18s to U23s football, Rowe believes that the experience is a good challenge for him, adding that he’s looking to play a lot more for Wright’s side.
“When I first started, the U23s was a challenge physically. It was physically demanding, but as you play more with time and experience, you get used to it and then it becomes more challenging in a good way.
“I’m glad to be getting minutes in with the U23s and I’m looking to play a lot more as well.”