Walshe and Tsovolos sign pro contracts

It was announced last night, on The Pompey Site, that academy youngsters Carl Walshe and Billy Tsovolos have signed professional contracts.

Walshe, who some might remember came over from Ireland back along as part of the link-up with Home Farm, was more than happy to turn professional and the strikers aim now is to break into the 1st team: 'you think about this when you're young and dream about it because it doesn't happen every day.

'I have always felt settled since coming over from Ireland and that has been made easier by the people I work with and who are around me.

'The ultimate aim now is to push on from youth team football and get into the first team.'

Having arrived just over a year ago Tsovolos is making fairly rapid progress forward and the midfielder feels that he is 'a step nearer' to fulfilling his ambitions of breaking into the squad too, and he hopes to do this sooner rather than later: 'I have come a long way to fulfil this dream and I definitely feel I am a step nearer to doing so

'It's everyone's aim to try to get in the first team and I would like to think I can do that as soon as possible.

'There would be no fears for me of achieving that aim and I am looking forward to the day that it hopefully happens.'

Quite what their involvement in the 1st team will be this season remains unclear, as does the fact if they will actually be part of the '20-man squad' - if they are then, despite the inexperience, surely it makes sense to name them in the squad at the weekend?

It is quite a step up I know but it makes sense, if for nothing else, but to boost the numbers available to us and it also gives them some experience of being with and preparing with the squad on a match day.

Ok, they are both only 17 but as the saying goes 'if they are good enough they are old enough', and lets face it at the moment we are very much at a stage of 'needs must'...

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