Fenton joy as Gomes agrees Mariners deal
SOUTH Shields manager Graham Fenton has expressed his delight after youngster Joao Gomes committed his future to the club.
The Lisbon-born attacking midfielder joined the Mariners’ academy in 2019 and played a key role in their run to the third round of the FA Youth Cup.
Gomes has attracted interest from a number of clubs from higher up the football pyramid but will now link up with the South TYnesiders’ senior squad ahead of their first season as a full-time, professional outfit.
Fenton paid tribute to the progress Gomes has made over the last two years and challenged to youngster to seize the opportunity handed to him.
The former Blackburn Rovers striker said: “We are delighted Joao has signed a two-year contract with the club.
“He has shown real promise over the last two years in the Academy and produced some exceptionally good performances, particularly in the FA Youth Cup run two seasons ago.
“Joao has had plenty of interest from clubs higher up the football pyramid and has been on several trials.
“It is great he has committed his future to us.
“He will come straight into the first-team squad and it is now up to him in his actions and his performances to force his way into our minds in terms of team selection.
“He has some very talented footballers in front of him at the moment and it will take a lot of hard work and dedication to push his way past those players.
“However, we have already seen that he has high quality and we are looking forward to seeing him rise to the challenge.”
Gomes revealed his excitement over signing a two-year contract and is relishing the prospect of joining the club’s senior squad.
He said: “I am really happy and excited to have signed this contract.
“I feel like all of the hard work I have put in over the last two years has paid off to get to this point but now I need to push on again.
“I cannot wait to see what the future holds for me at this club and it is my responsibility now to make sure I am ready to play in the first team.”