OXFORD United have tied down the future of another talented youngster after Michael Elechi agreed his first professional contract this morning.

The 17-year-old’s deal will start next month and run until the end of the 2020/21 season.

Elechi, who is from east London, spent two years in Manchester United’s youth set-up, before being released in the summer.

So the first-year scholar was thrilled to be given the chance to become a professional this early.

He said: “I am very surprised it’s come this quickly, but I’m very grateful as well.

“I just need to get my head down and keep working hard.

“Football is my passion and I want to become a professional, so to do that there are sacrifices I need to make.

“When I was 14 I had to move away from home to play for Manchester United.

“Unfortunately I didn’t become a scholar there, but things have turned out well.”

United had been tracking him for several months before he was released – and the patience has paid off.

Elechi came through the ranks as a centre half, but has been played as a left back and left wing back this season.

His deal comes a week after another of the club’s under 18s, Kyran Lofthouse, put pen to paper on a contract.

Both are in the side preparing to face Burnley at Turf Moor in the FA Youth Cup tomorrow night.

Dan Harris, head of United’s academy, said: “Michael’s an unbelievably humble young man, a great character to wear our badge the way it should be worn.

“He’s a great ambassador for our football club and has a really high ceiling in terms of what he can be.

“We’re now saying get your head down and fight your way on to the back pages and into Karl (Robinson)’s squad on a regular basis.”