Rio Ferdinand's son signs first professional contract with Premier League side

Rio Ferdinand's son Lorenz has signed a professional deal with Brighton after spending time in non-league football with Havant & Waterlooville.

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• Lorenz signs contract with Brighton
• Made Premier League 2 debut in January
• Has progressed through Seagulls' academy

• Table of Contents

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ferdinand's son Lorenz joined Brighton as an under-13 player and has risen through the ranks steadily, making his Premier League 2 debut in January before playing in a senior match for the first time while on loan with non-league outfit Havant & Waterlooville in April.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  A goalkeeper and Rio's eldest son, Lorenz kept two clean sheets in six appearances in the Southern League towards the backend of last season. He sits among a raft of promising shot-stoppers on the south coast, with European Under-21 Championship winner James Beadle on the Albion's books alongside Carl Rushworth, who has spent time on loan with Walsall, Lincoln, Swansea and Hull.

• WHAT WAS SAID

  Speaking after 13 youngsters penned for first pro deals, Brighton academy manager Ian Buckman said: "We’re pleased to see this cohort of players sign their first professional contracts here, with a number of them at the club from a very young age.

  "All of them have already had some form of experience with the under-21s, while a few have been involved with the first team.

  "We look forward to them continuing their careers with us and helping them develop over the coming years."

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Rio is a six-time Premier League winner with United, also claiming the 2008 Champions League on his way to becoming a Red Devils legend.