TALENTED teenager Harvey Sayer has signed his first professional contract with Colchester United.

The 18-year-old left-back has penned a new deal with the U's that keeps him at the JobServe Community Stadium until the summer of 2023.

Sayer, who has been at Colchester's academy since under-14 level after arriving from Norwich City, made his senior debut as a second-half substitute in the club's Papa John's Trophy game against West Ham United, last September.

His appearance as a second-half substitute for Miles Welch-Hayes in the group game saw him become the most recent of the club's home-grown players to make their first-team bow.

Sayer was born at James Paget Hospital, Gorleston, near Gt Yarmouth on January 6, 2003.

At the age of five years old, he played for Suffolk-based Bungay Town FC on a Saturday morning.

He played there up until the age of eight, when he was scouted by Norwich City.

Sayer started off in the Player Development Centre with the Canaries, before progressing to the elite, and then the academy.

At the age of 12 years old, the young full-back was released by Norwich but then carried on playing in their elite and also for Old Catton FC.

He also played football for his school, Bungay High School and was asked to play for Suffolk County, which is where he was scouted by Colchester.

He caught the U's attention when playing for Suffolk Schools against them in a friendly.

Colchester initially wanted to give him a six-week trial but after a couple of weeks, offered him a contract on his 14th birthday in January, 2017.

While playing for Colchester, he was scouted by England and in February 2018, played for the Young Lions' under-15 side against Belgium.

He linked up with the national squad at St George's Park, for a four-day camp.

Speaking immediately after his England call-up, the young full-back said: “I hope to get many more call-ups and many more appearances for England and my dream is to become a professional footballer, and to be in the England squad.

"When I first joined Suffolk Schools I had been released from Norwich City Academy and my confidence was low. Suffolk Schools helped me gain my confidence back, which helped me give the best performance I could.

“They supported me throughout and gave me the opportunity and coached me to believe in myself and become an even better footballer for which I’m truly grateful.”

Sayer, who also had a trial at Wolves who were interested in him, scored in Colchester's first three under-18 games, this season.

He has played for Colchester under-23s over recent times, impressing last season.

Sayer will be hoping to now get more first-team opportunities with U's, having now made his senior bow.