Premier League side Sheffield United signed Justin Tellus' protégé Ashton Hall from Matlock Town.
Hall has followed into the footsteps of Max Hunt and Zak Brunt, who after being under Tellus' wing at Matlock Town, they signed professional contracts with Derby County and Sheffield United respectively.
Hall was released by Sheffield United as a 15-year-old, but has rejoined the Premier League club despite spending time on trial with Yorkshire neighbours Leeds.
The life-long United supporter has already featured in friendly matches for the U-18 and U-23 sides this summer.
“I’m so honoured to sign for the team I have supported throughout my childhood, the hard work starts now and I’m ready for the challenge ahead," Hall said in a club's statement.
“Many people have a dream to become a professional footballer and my dream was the same as anyone else.”
Hall’s new teammates have helped him settle down in South Yorkshire as he prepares to embark on his debut campaign with the U-23's - a step up from the now called BetVictor Northern Premier League.
“I’ve had to take it on the chin really, because the step up is big and the intensity’s higher; you have to be professional on and off the pitch," Hall explained.
“I knew some of the boys anyway (from my last spell with the club), some of them are still here now and they helped me settle in. I know Zak [Brunt] from Matlock, he came to Sheffield so he helped me (too).”
Hall becomes the third Matlock player to sign a professional contract with a club at Championship level and above, and is the first to have directly signed for a Premier League team.
“I’ve seen my teammates in Max and Zak both make the step into the professional game after being mentored by Justin (Tellus, Matlock Town’s former development manager) and I feel I have the foundations installed in my game now to develop as well as achieve at this great club," Hall added.
“I’ve had an amazing journey over the last two years as I’ve been guided and developed by Justin who took me in over two years ago and he has turned me into the player I am today.
We played out from the back, it was good football and we were always told to keep the ball and play well. That’s the proper way to play football, and that’s really helped me to come into a club like this,” he said.
Tellus, who mentored the talent of Hall, was filled with absolute pride to see the 18-year-old sign for the Blades.
“Ashton (Hall) has been a true professional as well as a shining example to all throughout his development years,” Tellus said.
“His hard work and dedication, as well as commitment has got him to achieve his dream of signing for his boyhood side in Sheffield United.
“I wish my ex-departing development captain all the best in his career in the professional game. Myself and all the people that supported Ashton will always be so very proud of him.”
Hall had spent his younger years with professional clubs and was released by the Blades and Rotherham United before the age of 16, which Tellus felt should act as an encouragement to others.
“Ashton Hall is a product of what I stand for and work for, I hope he is an inspiration to all young players to keep working hard, as the second chance is always achievable in this great game that we all love so much.”