Harry Pickering and Owen Dale have become the latest Academy youngsters to sign pro deals.

Crewe Alexandra Football Club is delighted to announce that Academy graduates Harry Pickering and Owen Dale have signed professional terms with the club. The two promising young players have signed deals to take them through to the summer of 2018 and they will be aiming to follow the likes of Callum Ainley, George Cooper and Charlie Kirk into Steve Davis’ first-team squad in the future.

The two 17-year-olds have progressed through the Academy ranks to feature for the U-21 Development Squad this season. The first-year scholars have also impressed for Kenny Lunt’s Under-18 side and were part of the FA Youth Cup side that was unfortunately defeated by Coventry City back in November.

The Chester-born Pickering is often deployed as a left-back, but his versatility has also seen operate in midfield when needed. He appeared in Crewe Alexandra’s FA Youth Cup tie against Manchester City last season when still only a schoolboy and his progress has seen him represent Alex Morris’ Under 21s on occasions this season.

The defender also has an eye for goal and he has notched goals against Birmingham, Cardiff City and Sheffield Wednesday this season for the Under-18s.

The Warrington-based Dale, is a young forward player capable of creating and scoring goals. He scored a hat-trick for the club’s Under-18s in a 5-2 win over Hull City back in December. He also notched a brace in a thrilling 4-4 draw with Huddersfield Town back in October as well as scoring twice in a 3-2 victory over Sheffield Wednesday last month.

Dale was recently on target for the Under-21s in a 3-1 win over Leeds and he impressed when replacing Joe Howell in the Cheshire Senior Cup defeat at Stockport County last month.

Crewe Alexandra would like to congratulate the two boys on earning their first professional contracts with the club.