Jaidyn Kennedy
Western United have secured the signatures of two more young stars with Jordan Lauton and James York committing to the club on scholarship deals for the A-League season.
The pair have been troubling opposition midfields across the National and Victorian premier leagues since their arrival at the Western United Academy.
Their impressive development saw them earn their A-League debuts at the beginning of the year.
Both players made their professional starts in Tasmania, with York first coming off the bench against Western Sydney Wanderers and Lauton following suit against Sydney FC.
Playing predominately as midfielders, both players have displayed their versatility across different positions, with York filling in at full-back and centre-back across the VPL1 season.
Among a reserve of young talent at Western United, Lauton and York are pushing towards bigger roles in John Aloisi’s squad.
“I’m buzzing to sign the contract for my first pro deal – it’s every footballer’s dream,” Lauton said.
“I’m really grateful to have made my debut last season and I’m obviously really committed to hopefully playing many more games”, he added.
York, equally enthusiastic, also expressed his excitement about the club’s direction:
“The club has put so much faith in youth which has definitely been felt by all the boys as a motivation to work hard, as the opportunities are there.”
Western United football general manager Mal Impiombato highlighted the work of the club’s academy structure in nurturing both players.
“They have provided an example for their peers in the academy of working on their craft and taking their opportunities when being brought into the first team.”, he said.
Lauton and York become the sixth and seventh Western United Academy players to sign their first professional contracts in this off-season.
