Academy graduate has committed to a three-year pro deal
JONATHAN Leko is raring to go ahead of the new 2016/17 season – and admits he hasn’t even been on holiday as he steps up his fitness levels in preparation for the new campaign
The 17-year-old has been a regular at Albion’s training ground over the summer months – coming after he broke into the first team at the back end of last season.
And having agreed his first professional contract at the club on Tuesday, Leko insists he is champing at the bit for the start of pre-season training and the chance to build on his achievements so far.
“I’m delighted to agree my first professional contract. I’m really happy,” said Leko, who has been with the club since the age of 11. “I just want to kick on now and start next season how I finished the end of last season and play well.
“I wouldn’t have thought I would have done what I did last year, especially towards the end of the campaign. I just want to kick on and keep playing, hopefully get more starts.
“My personal highlight was probably between setting up Salomon against Liverpool and my first start against West Ham, if I had to pick one, it would be Liverpool and setting up Rondon for his goal - that was the best.
“I’m on a great journey at the club, there’s been up and downs but I’ve enjoyed the whole journey. I just want to carry on and kick on.
“I been in most days over the summer doing a bit of running, a bit of gym work. We’ve got a hard pre-season tour in Austria, I just want to get ready, I haven’t even been on holiday.
“I’m ready to get back and involved, I’m fit to come back in. I feel ready for Austria, although I wouldn’t go as far as to say I’m looking forward to it.
“My targets for next season are to maintain my levels, go again, and I want to try to score a goal, that would top it off, if I score it would be a highlight.”