Exciting youngster Lamare Bogarde has signed a professional contract with Aston Villa.

The 17-year-old, who can play in midfield and defence, has recently caught the eye of Manchester City and Barcelona.

But Villa have managed to convince him to stay in the Midlands following his first-team debut against Liverpool last weekend.

Academy Manager Mark Harrison said of the deal: "Lamare joined us in the summer and since then we have been pleased with his development, which has seen him play a number of times for our Under-23s at the age of 16

"He has now settled into a central midfield role and acquitted himself very well."