Prolific teenage striker Tom Cannon has signed a first professional contract with Everton, penning a two-year contract until the end of June 2023.

The Republic of Ireland youth international has made the step up to Everton’s Under-23s this season having recorded impressive goalscoring numbers for the Blues’ Under-18s.

Since the start of the 2019/20 campaign, Cannon has netted 21 times in 29 U18 Premier League (North) appearances.

Cannon also won the Club’s Goal of the Month prize last October for his spectacular long-range volley in the young Blues’ Under-17 Premier League Cup game against Burnley. Evertonians voted his blockbuster strike as the best from a shortlist which included efforts from First-Team stars James Rodriguez and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Aintree-born Cannon explained how the support he has received since joining Everton Academy aged 10 has driven his development as a player.

“It is a proud moment for myself and my family to sign this contract,” the 18-year-old told evertonfc.com.

“To come through the Academy system and sign professionally is an amazing feeling.

“Through all the ranks and all the age groups, each coach has helped massively in my progression.

“I’m very thankful for that and I’ll aim to keep repaying the confidence the Club has shown in me.”

Cannon made his Everton Under-23s debut in September’s 4-1 victory over Derby County.

He has since made a further seven appearances for David Unsworth’s side and scored his first goal at Under-23 level in a Premier League 2 game against Manchester City last month.

Cannon outlined his ambition to cement a spot in Unsworth’s team and help Everton Under-18s embark on a strong FA Youth Cup run.

“With the Under-23s, I’m just looking to get minutes where I can and hopefully earn a few starting places,” he added.

“For the Under-18s, I’m looking forward to the FA Youth Cup getting started.

“We’ve got Wigan in the third round which will be a tough game. But it’s a competition we’re hungry to go really far in and to try to win.”