Many happy returns to Troy Parrott, who celebrates his 17th birthday today.
And, as if rejoicing at another year on the planet is not enough, the Dublin teenager has cause for further celebration, after signing professional terms at Tottenham Hotspurs.
Taking to Instagram to announce his good news, the former Belvedere youth starlet was clearly made up, claiming that it was the "best gift" he could have been given, adding it was a "proud day" for himself and his family.
The Irish youth international has recently come to the fore at the North London club when, having scored a jaw-dropping 11 goals in 7 appearances for the U18 side this season, he was touted as being a potential replacement for long-term injury absentee Harry Kane at the head of the Spurs attack.
Mauricio Pochettino's side, who sit third in the Premier League as we rapidly approach the business end of the season, had been left desperately short of options up front after their influential captain picked up ankle ligament damage in the dying seconds of last month's home defeat to Manchester United.
With mercurial attacking talent Son Heung-min marooned in the United Arab Emirates, with his South Korean teammates at the Asian Cup, and senior reserve Fernando Llorente seemingly on his way out during the January Transfer Window, the spotlight quickly fell on Parrott who looked likely to get some game-time given Spurs hectic mid-Winter schedule.
That seems a little bit less likely now, since Son's return from the Gulf and with potential deals for Llorente having come and gone, but Spurs fans remain excited by their talented prospect, with some voices calling for Parrott to be looked after as he continues with his development.
Well done to Troy Parrott on signing his first professional contract with Tottenham COYS
— robert rockett (@Robert_Rockett) February 4, 2019
Please, please look after Troy Parrott. Not even over at Spurs a year and has already signed a pro deal not to mention playing 3 years out of himself at underage level. We’ve got a serious player on our hands
— David Ennis (@Davey_Ennis_1) February 4, 2019
Parrott has been in tremendous goal-scoring form at international level as well, bagging four goals in three appearances for Tom Mohan's Ireland U19 side in October, including a hat-trick against the Faroe Islands.
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