OXFORD United midfielder Leon Chambers-Parillon has signed his first professional contract.

The promising teenager put pen to paper on a one-year deal, with the option of an extra 12 months.

Chambers-Parillon made five substitute appearances for the U’s in 2020/21, including in March’s 2-1 derby win at Swindon Town.

The 19-year-old returned for pre-season with the rest of the U’s squad this morning and hopes to a play a bigger role in the campaign ahead.

"I’m very proud to be a first-year pro," he said.

“I feel good – I know what I want to accomplish this season and I know how hard I have to work for it.

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“That’s what I’m going to try and do every day.

“The club has big goals, we want to do a lot this season.

“We always want to improve and I feel like we’ve got another good chance again."

Chambers-Parillon joined United on a two-year scholarship in 2018 after spells with Luton Town and Aston Villa.

He first gained attention outside of the club when he helped the U’s reach the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup in 2018/19.

The youngster's scholarship was extended by a year last summer, but he had to wait until last November for a first-team chance.

That came at Walsall in the Papa John’s Trophy and he made an instant impact, claiming the assist for Derick Osei’s winner and then impressing in the second round win over Forest Green Rovers.

Injuries gave Chambers-Parillon an opportunity to make his Football League debut in March and he came off the bench in three Sky Bet League One matches, earning praise for some mature displays.

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He said: “It’s the mental side as much as anything, you have to believe in yourself.

“You’re always going to have low-confidence days and high-confidence days.

“It’s just how well you can deal with both sides of it personally.

“I feel like I get it from my parents.

“You see it on the pitch, you always see me working hard for the team."

His new deal comes days after fellow academy product Tyler Goodrham signed his first professional deal.