PLYMOUTH College goalkeeper Michael Cooper has signed a two-year apprenticeship contract with Plymouth Argyle.

The Year 11 weekly boarder is currently in the under-16 team and is the first one in his age group to have his contract renewed.

He now moves into the under-18 age group and goes from two-hour training sessions three days a week to a full-time programme.

Cooper has played county cricket and school rugby in recent years but is putting all his efforts into football in the future.

“I’m really pleased to be moving on to the next stage of my football career with a full-time contract with Plymouth Argyle,” said Cooper.

“I first played for Argyle when I was in the under-10s so I have been working towards this for a long time.  At the end of these next two years I hope to be signed as a professional footballer.”