'New contract is a dream come true - now I have to kick on'
Signing a first professional contract with Liverpool FC marked the completion of a long-held aspiration for midfielder Jake Cain.
The Academy midfielder, an FA Youth Cup winner with the Reds last season, put pen to paper earlier this week to prolong his spell with the club.
The 18-year-old relished the milestone moment in his fledgling career – not least because it was one he was hoping for ever since joining at the age of nine.
“It’s a dream come true really,” Cain told Liverpoolfc.com.
“It has been one of my aspirations all my life and it has finally happened. I’m buzzing with that and all my family are made up as well.
“I was at the Academy and Alex [Inglethorpe] called me into his room and offered it to me. I was over the moon to get it signed.”
Cain was part of the Liverpool U19s side that kicked off their UEFA Youth League campaign with a 1-1 draw in Naples on Tuesday afternoon.
The creative central player has also performed impressively during an encouraging start to the season for Barry Lewtas’ U18s group.
But he knows resting on laurels is not an option.
“You’ve got to keep your head down and keep working – and prove what else you can do,” added Cain. “It’s not like you can [ease] off and relax, you’ve got to kick on and keep pushing.”