SLAVI Spasov’s professional contract is the latest step to show young players will get a chance at Oxford United.

That’s the view of Dan Harris, head of the club’s academy, after the forward agreed to sign a three-and-a-half year deal once he turns 17 on New Year’s Eve.

Spasov is one of two 16-year-olds, alongside Fabio Lopes, to play for Karl Robinson’s first team this season, while youth team product Shandon Baptiste, 20, has captained the side.

Harris believes it all helps develop United’s reputation as a club which nurtures young talent.

He said: “With the Shandon deal last month and now Slavi, we’re trying to say to young players what an opportunity you have here.

“We’ve got a manager with a track record of playing young players early, you’ve got an academy that’s trying to create a high performance environment and an owner who throws himself behind youth development.”

Spasov scored on his first-team debut in September, but Harris was more encouraged by what happened next.

He said: “The following morning I was at the training ground at 7.30am and he came in at 8.15 sorting out the players’ boots and bibs, because that’s the kind of young man he is.

“What we’re excited about in Slavi’s case is he is a young man that’s got great ability and a phenomenal work ethic, but he wears our badge the way it should be worn.

“That’s exciting.

“Again he will hopefully inspire other young men in our current youth team and the academy to think ‘let me be next’.”

Spasov scored twice – and had a penalty saved – as United won 3-0 at Hemel Hempstead Town in the FA Youth Cup.

Connor Ferguson was also on target.