Nottingham Forest Academy forward Detlef Esapa Osong has signed his first professional contract with The Reds.
The 17-year-old striker has featured heavily for the Under 18s since joining the Academy in 2017 from grassroots football in Leicestershire
Esapa Osong caught the eye with hat-tricks against Millwall last season and this pre-season against Leicester and he was also on the scoresheet in The Reds' recent FA Youth Cup victory against Bristol City at The City Ground, scoring the second goal in a 3-1 victory to set up a fourth round tie against Peterborough later this month.
On signing professional terms, Detlef said: "I'm extremely thankful for this opportunity.
"This is my first professional contract and I'm very grateful to my family and for the constant sacrifices they've made to help get me to this point.
"I first arrived from Sunday league and the club and coaches have helped me develop in a professional environment and made me realise what it takes to be a professional footballer.
"I've really enjoyed my time at Forest so far and now I'm eager to keep learning and keep improving as much as I can."
Forest Head of Coaching and Player Development, Jody Caudwell, who has worked with Esapa Osong since joining at Under 13 level said: "He has developed well since transitioning into the full-time programme and has had a good start to the season scoring goals with the U18s and working hard to improve with the coaches.
"We feel he has a bright future at the football club. Esapa has great potential in his position which he is displaying in training and in games week on week.
"There are some talented strikers in the academy and he must work hard to push himself to the next level. The coaches and support staff will set him targets and it’s then up to him to fulfil his potential."
Forest Under 18s are next in action this Saturday as The Reds travel to Derby County in an East Midlands Derby clash, kick-off 11am.