Jonny Giles knows he is playing catch-up, but is determined to make the most of his big break.

The 21-year-old this week realised a dream by signing a professional deal with Oxford United after impressing in two trial games.

The Durham University graduate is under no illusion of the task facing him as he tries to make his mark on boss Michael Appleton.

But the winger, who grew up in Windsor and has has two cousins at university in Oxford, is relishing the prospect.

“It’s been a long summer, but I can’t wait to get started as a professional footballer,” he commented.

“Most kids dream of being a pro when they’re young, so I just can’t stop smiling at the moment.

“But I know that most people signing their first professional contract usually do it at 18, but I am a bit behind that so have to really go for it to make up time.”

Giles, who has a physics degree, made a big impression while playing university football, and featured in a couple of matches for Ashington, who are managed by former England cricketer Steve Harmison, in Northern League Division 1.

However, he is just happy that everything fell into place in order for him to get his big chance.

“It needed a lot of things to happen simultaneously,” he explained.

“I decided in my final year that I wanted to graduate and then give it a real go to earn a contract with someone.

“I started to make a DVD in March with my brother, Mike, using footage from university matches.

“He helped me a lot with the technical side, compiling the footage, and we sent it to a few clubs, but heard nothing back.

“I gave a copy to my university coach and he passed it to a club nearby and I went there briefly, met somebody who introduced me to his agent, and they got me a trial here at Oxford.”

And now the long process starts of trying to force his way somewhere near United’s first team.

“I watched them against Bristol Rovers and have seen some clips of them too and am very impressed,” Giles said.

“I would love to catch the manager’s eye in training, but this is a new chapter for me. I just have to take it step by step.”

He added: “When I was at university I had some really good coaching and in my final year I realised there could be a chance of going pro.

“We played against Newcastle Under 21s and Hartlepool Under 21s and only just lost those matches and I didn’t feel I was massively different from them.

“It just shows there is a chance for people. If you are capable, there is the opportunity.”

And if he does get the chance to feature for United’s first team, what can the fans expect?

“I’m a winger, have a bit of trickery and pace and hopefully you’ll get a few goals out of me,” he said.

“But one thing I will do is keep running for 90 minutes, I keep trying.”