Preston North End

After joining the Club's Academy at U14s level, the 'keeper has worked his way through the ranks and the hard work has paid off as he was offered his first pro deal. 

"I'm delighted, a lot of things have happened over the last few years that have helped me get to this point, and I'm really happy to get my first profesional contract.

Hudson was quick to thank those around him who have helped his career progress to this point, in particular first team goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly. 

"I joined the Club at U14s level, so I've been here quite a few years now and had a number of coaches that have helped me along the way, so I have to thank them, especially Jack Cudworth and Alan Kelly who I've worked with since I signed."

"Kells used to help us in the Academy when I first started, and we used to all train together in the evening, it was Jack and Kells that signed me so I've been with them the whole way through.

"Alan Kelly also helped me a lot through my injury which was a huge benefit for me as it was really hard to come back from that after being out for eight months but Kells and Jack gave me the right advice to get through that and so I'm really happy to sign now. 

"I had two injuries, one in my first year, and one right at the start of my second year so that was hard and it knocked my confidence a bit but all of the coaches helped me massively to come back from that and thankfully I've recovered well which has now led to me getting a contract."

The first team environment is nothing new to the 17-year-old, and has already made his first team debut, coming on as a substitue against Leeds United at Elland Road. 

"It's been a good year, the manager has shown faith in me and shown that he's not afraid to throw me in which is a good thing and it shows he trusts me.  To throw a 17-year-old lad in to a game in front of 23,000 people at Leeds United takes a lot of trust and so I'm really grateful of that opportunity. 

"I've had a lot of experience of being around the first team and training with them, so now I've got to keep up with them now and push myself and make sure I'm always pushing the 'keepers. 

"I've had the privilege of working with some brilliant 'keepers over the last few years, and when I've been training with the first team I've been lucky enough to train with them. Players like Declan Rudd, Jordan Pickford and Sam Johnstone, they are all 'keepers who have come in and given me a lot of help and helped develop me a lot as a player and Alan Kelly has helped me a lot with that too. 

"That's where I want to be, I've got part of the way there now getting my contract but the hard work continues and I just want to say a big thank you for everyone involved in helping me get that contract.

"I just want to carry on being in and around the squad now, I'm still a young player but the manager has shown he's not afraid of putting me on the bench or throwing me on when he needs to. I just need to keep pushing the 'keepers ahead of me and wait for my chance."