Hull City are delighted to announce that promising midfielder Rocco Coyle has penned his first professional contract.
Turning 18 on Monday, the midfielder has signed a three-year contract, with the club holding the option of an extra year.
Academy Manager Richard Naylor said: “Rocco has managed to perform to a level we know he is capable of and that has pushed him into the Under-21s. When he has played at that level, he has not looked out of place and produced some really good performances and cemented his place in the team.
“He is always the first in and last to leave the training ground. He works really hard at his game. He is always looking to improve and is always asking questions which tells a lot about his character. He wants to push himself and get better and improve which I am sure he will.”
Captain of the Under-18s during his two-year scholarship, Coyle has been a consistent figure at both Under-18 and Under-21 levels this campaign.
Netting a stunning free-kick in the Under-18s’ 5-0 victory over Harrogate Town in the group stages of the Professional Development League Cup, the 18-year-old has also trained with Liam Rosenior’s first team at Cottingham.
In September, the midfielder was an unused substitute in the 1-1 Sky Bet Championship draw at home to Plymouth Argyle.
Coyle said: “It is a very good day. I am buzzing to have signed my first professional contract and it is something myself and my family are really proud of.
“I struggled with being out with injury in my first year, so it is something that I have been pushing to get and it is a reward, but the hard work starts again now. I cannot settle for this as I have to keep striving for more.
“The staff at the academy have done endless amounts of things for me. A special staff member I would like to thank is Kris Blakeston, who I had at my younger age groups. He sadly passed away and ‘Blakey’, as we all called him, really looked after me. All the staff from Under-10s to now have been excellent for me and I appreciate them all.
“It has been a great start to the season with the involvement with the first team and Under-21s. It has shown me what the level is and how I am meant to get there, so it is about keeping on going and keep striving for more and never settling for what I have.
“First-team involvement is a big goal of mine after seeing what that is like and the level of training with them. It is my aim to get in there full-time, do as much as I can with them and do well when I am there.”
