The 18-year-old Londoner, joined the Cherries two years ago after being released by West Ham United and was one of eight players from the under-18s squad to sign professionally in May.

On learning he was being offered a pro deal

We had a meeting in Carl Fletcher's office and he told me his decision, just before training at the end of last season. I was excited and really happy to hear the news.

It's something you dream of when you're a kid, and it's a great achievement for me and my family.

I was with West Ham and coming from there and moving down to Bournemouth the aim was always to achieve a professional contract here.

This is just the start, I want to push on from now and this first professional contract is a stepping stone to hopefully what I can achieve in the future.

On what's gone right for him at AFC Bournemouth

Getting away from London has helped me, it's been a new situation for me playing with different players and I've had to alter my game based on the physical side of the game. I'm quite a physical player and from day one it's been enjoyable here.

The coaches are very big on improving payers and I've improved a lot since I've been here and that's down to Carl Fletcher, Alan Connell and Eddie Howe. With them you're working hard every training session and they're trying to get the best out of you.

They're helpful, both on and off the pitch, and they'll help you, as will the other coaches. That makes them good to learn from.

On future first team opportunities

I travelled to Watford and Liverpool for Premier League as the 19th man. They were two great experiences for me, being around the first team and seeing how they prepare the night before, what they eat, how they sleep. It was good for me to learn before I get to that stage myself.

Next time, when I'm on the bench for the under-21s I'll know how to prepare for the game better from having spent time with the first team.

My goal is to push closer towards the first team during the summer and then the new season. There are pre-season games coming up and I'm hoping to get some game time in them.

Mainly, pre-season is about improving myself as a player and off the pitch as well. I need to prove myself to Carl Fletcher and Eddie Howe and then when it comes to the start of the season I'll hopefully be in a position to push forwards.