George Cox is delighted with his new two-year contract at Brighton.
The fullback penned terms last week.
Cox told The Argus: “The contract is a massive thing for me. I've been here since I was in the under-11s.
“At under-16s I wasn't given a full contract so I went on trial at Aston Villa for a little while.
“They were like, 'No – you're not big enough!' “I was on a schoolboy contract in my scholarship years so it was difficult for me not being on the same contract as all the boys.
“That is when you first start getting paid but I was still on expenses.
“My first game in the under-18s was actually against Aston Villa.
“The other left-back was injured so I got a game and I had a good game.
“Straight after that, I was offered my scholarship. From there it has just gone on.
“I was offered a one-year pro deal at the end of the scholarship and last year I took my chances when I was given them. That has led to another contract."