Preston North End have tied up the future of academy prospect Dana Amaral on a one-year professional contract, with the option of an additional 12 months.
The 18-year-old made 24 appearances for the Under-19s during the 2021/22 campaign, establishing himself as an influential part of the club’s EFL Youth Alliance League and Cup double.
He told the club website: “I’m feeling good. It’s a change of environment, but I’m excited for what the future holds now. When you sign for Preston, the aim and what you’re always getting told is you want to sign a professional contract.
“You want to be in and around the first team to get that exposure to first team football so it was always the aim. Twelve months ago, I probably wasn’t looking at myself being in the position that I am now, but around the end of the season I really picked up my game and worked with the coaches at the Under-18s and I’m here now.”
Manager Ryan Lowe, who has given the midfielder the chance to train with the first team, said: “We noticed Dana towards the back end of last season when he played a couple of games and we really liked him.
“He’s one that burst on to the scene late, a little bit like Mikey O’Neill, and sometimes your first impressions are always the best and his were very good, hence why we’re really pleased he’s signed a contract.
“We feel like he can be a good midfielder for us in that number four position and we feel he can learn off all the senior midfielders in that position.
“But like with all the young lads it’s over to him now to keep impressing. The easy part is getting it, the hardest part is sustaining it, so we’re hoping he can keep learning. He’ll be on the trip with us to Spain so we’re looking for him to kick on.”
