ACADEMY graduate Scott Wilson has signed his first professional contract at Turf Moor.

Wilson, who has been with the Clarets since 2013, has signed a 12-month deal with the option of a further year.

The defender, 19, has earned an extended stay after completing a three-year scholarship.

The left-sided centre-back was kept on as a scholar last summer and now progresses to the professional ranks after an impressive season in the Under-23s.

Local lad Wilson, who comes from Lango, also spent a productive spell on work experience at Stalybridge Celtic at the start last season, enjoying a run of first-team games at left-back with the Evo Stik Premier League side.

He returned to Turf Moor in January and was then a regular in Steve Stone’s side as they reached the quarter-finals of the Premier League Cup and the final of the LFA Senior Cup.

“I’m delighted. To have been here for a number of years and then be told I was getting a contract was fantastic,” said Wilson.

“I’ve enjoyed my time through the Academy and being a scholar. Some people see getting a third year as a negative, some as a positive.

“I took it on, did what I needed to do, did my loan spell, which I enjoyed, and then came back and showed what I’m all about.

“I think I came back a bit more mature, knowing how the game works. It was an important year, obviously wanting this contract. I was buzzing at the news and my mum and dad are very proud.

“We’ll see what happens now. I’ll get pre-season done and then we’ll have chats about what happens next, but I’ll be working harder than ever to do well and make the most of the opportunity I’ve got here.”

Wilson follows Under-23 defensive team-mates Jordan Cropper and Bobby Thomas in signing new deals since the end of the 2018/19 campaign.

Right-back Joel Senior, 19, has also joined the Clarets from Curzon Ashton this summer, while contract offers have also been made to Tunde Bayode, Christian N’Guessan and Dan Agyei as Stone looks to keep developing his Under-23 squad following their fourth-place finish in the Professional Development League’s northern group last season.