AN eight-year-old boy is on track to achieve his dream of becoming a professional footballer after signing a contract with his favourite club.

Noah Hutchinson, from Crook, signed his schoolboy contract with Newcastle United Football Club at a special ceremony, where he met older players whose footsteps he is following in.

Noah has been playing with Crook Town Football Club’s junior teams since he was three and was spotted by a Newcastle scout in January 2016. Since then, Noah has been training with the club and he is thrilled to have a contract.

“My favourite Newcastle player is Deandre Yedlin,” he said. “He plays the same position as me, right back. I’m so excited that my dream to play for Newcastle has come true.”

Noah’s parents, Andrea and Scott Hutchinson, and siblings, Isla and Joshua, could not be happier for him.

Mrs Hutchinson said: “We are so proud of Noah. He works so hard. He comes in from school, gets changed and goes straight out to training. He’s very committed.”