Connor O’Riordan says he has fulfilled one of his childhood ambitions after signing a professional contract with his hometown club. The 18-year-old defender penned an initial three-year deal yesterday and he described the proud moment as ‘just amazing’ for him and his locally based family.

O’Riordan was rewarded for the progress he made last season after breaking into the Crewe first team and grabbing his opportunities with both hands with his mature performances at centre-half. He went on to make 13 appearances in all competitions for the club and the experience of League One football and facing the likes of Rotherham, Wigan, Portsmouth and Sunderland has only enhanced his development quickly.

Connor told the club’s YouTube channel: “To sign my professional club for Crewe is just amazing. I grew up watching Crewe and have come through the Academy with a lot of the other lads, so to sign my first deal and have so many of us come through together is a great achievement.

“It was always an ambition of mine to sign pro for Crewe and all the coaches have helped me improve and get where I am today but my parents were amazing. They drove me to games and always supported me, so it was a really proud moment for them as well.

“I know the hard work starts again now. It is going to be a tough pre-season, we know that but that is what we need to make sure we hit the ground running again when the season starts.

“On a personal level I’ve got to do that and go up a level to make sure I earn my place in the squad and then try and force myself into the team. It was a great experience to get a taste of it last season, especially in League One and the teams and players we played and I have to take what I learned into next season.

He added: “I will try and perform to the best of my ability and try to establish myself in the team.”