Everton's 18-year-old youth midfielder Harvey Foster has officially signed his first professional contract with the club, which will last until June 2027.

Born in Burnley, Foster is the son of former Manchester City defender John Foster. When he was young, he played for Blackburn Rovers. At the age of 11, he joined Everton's youth training system and started a seven-year growth journey at Finch Farm.

Foster has now become the core midfielder of Everton's U18 youth team. Last season, he made 19 appearances in the U18 Premier League North and scored 6 goals. He is good at long shots outside the penalty area and has shown good control of the game.

In the last three rounds of the season, Foster was appointed captain and led the team to only one defeat in the last 14 games, eventually ranking third in the league. His performance and leadership won high praise from the coaching staff.

In an interview with Everton's official website, Foster said: "Being able to sign a professional contract is something I have been working towards since I was a child. This means a lot to me and my family. It is the next step to a higher stage."

Foster will now be promoted to the U21 team and will work with U21 coach Paul Tait again. He said: "Coach Tait has been guiding me since I became an apprentice. He himself has a good career experience and is a role model for me to learn from."

"From the first day I stepped into Finch Farm, I fell in love with this place. Everton is a warm club. The enthusiasm of the fans and the atmosphere here make me feel at home. Confidence is the key. As long as I stay healthy and play, I believe nothing is impossible."