Burnley youngster Jamie Frost signs professional deal

The Macclesfield-born youngster, 17, has signed a two-and-a-half year deal with the club until June 2016, subject to Football League and FA clearance.

First-year scholar Frost, who recently gained a call-up to the Scotland U18 squad, has been a regular in the youth team this season and has travelled with the first team on several occasions,

Manager Sean Dyche said: “There are a group of players who we see as pushing forward to be the future of the club and Jamie is one of them, so we look forward to seeing him progress.”

Academy Manager Jason Blake added: “Jamie demonstrates there is no hierarchy.

“If we have a first year scholar who is performing well and progressing the way we hope, then they will get acknowledged.

“It’s not fast-tracking; it’s getting what they deserve. Jamie has worked had and been recognised by the Scotland set-up, playing above his age level, and he has done the same with us here at Burnley.

“He is part of our development pathway and has spent time training with the first team, and playing for the youth team.

“The key thing is he is managed very closely between the Academy and first team staff, so this is no coincidence.

“It is methodical and deliberate and his new professional contract is a signal of how far he has come in a short space of time, bearing in mind he played a lot of youth team football last season while still an U16.

“He is a great example, both to the other Academy scholars and also next year’s intake and the schoolboy groups underneath, that if you work hard age is no barrier and you will get recognised on performance, not date of birth.”