Perth Glory is delighted to confirm that three of the club’s most talented young players have signed extensions to their scholarship contracts.
Midfielder Chris Donnell (18) has extended until 2024, defender Kaelan Majekodunmi (19) has signed on until 2025 and Jaylan Pearman (17) has also pledged his future to the club.
PGFC Academy First Team skipper Donnell made his senior Glory debut against Melbourne Victory in the FFA Cup in November 2021, before taking his ISUZU UTE A-League bow against Wellington Phoenix five months later.
He is a current member of the Young Socceroos squad, as is Majekodunmi who is in his second spell at the club and was a standout performer in the NPL WA last year.
Pearman, meanwhile, is an Australia Under-17s representative who helped the PGFC Academy Under-20s to last year’s NPL WA league title, as well as making regular appearances for the Academy First Team.
Glory Head Coach, Ruben Zadkovich, believes that the trio have extremely bright futures ahead of them.
“We are extremely delighted to re-sign these young and extremely talented homegrown products to our club,” he said.
“All three have represented the club at national team levels for their respective age groups and their performances, both in that space and in the NPL WA, have been exceptional.
“We place a huge focus on our young talents at the club and are working extremely hard to create a clear pathway into national teams and to get as many as we can into the professional space at A- League level for Glory.
“These three are real shining lights and high-quality assets for the club.
“Chris has already made his A-League debut and his numbers and output in that game were phenomenal given the circumstances.
“His attitude is first class and he’s someone I’ve worked with very closely on his game.
“I believe he has a very bright future and his attitude and application to improve make him a massive asset to the club.
“Jaylan is a pleasure to coach and work with; a real quality young professional.
“He is finally filling his frame and growing into himself physically and we have been very patient with him through this growing phase, but his talent is clear for all to see.
“He has one of the best football minds I’ve seen for a player of his age and has a massive future if things align at the right time.
“Kaelen is a very commanding specimen who hasn’t been in our program as long as the other two, but his ability to adapt and rise to the level is frightening.
“He is a very cool and calm customer whose size and natural ability make him a real rough diamond.
“He is a high-quality defender who has no ceiling to the levels he can get to in this game.
“We are delighted to continue to work with him on his attributes.”
Glory Head of Recruitment, Andy Keogh, is similarly bullish about the youngsters’ prospects.
“It’s great to secure these young players,” he said.
“They are Perth boys and a big part of this club going forward.
“It’s great to see them commit after having agents try to turn their heads in the wrong direction.
“They have seen the vision we have and are fully on board for this journey.”
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