RICHARD Davies today expressed his delight after signing his first professional contract.

The local youngster, who turns 18 next week, has been rewarded with a 12-month pro deal after captaining The Saddlers' youth team to the Puma Youth Alliance North-West Conference title last weekend.

Davies, younger brother of Wolves' Mark, has a ten-year association with the club after first arriving at the Banks's Stadium as an eight year-old.

After progressing through the Centre of Excellence on to a youth scholarship, the Walsall-born midfielder has realised his dream of becoming a professional footballer.

"Like most kids I've always wanted to be a footballer," he said. "There's always a thought in the back of your mind that you won't make it, so I'm really, really pleased.

"There's a long way to go and I know that but, hopefully, this is the start for me.

"I used to use the club's astro-turf with my Sunday League team and someone saw something in me and I've been here ever since.

"Mick Halsall and Bill Jones have been great with me and, Mick especially, have had a massive influence on me. I want to repay them by making it here."

With his brother, two years his elder, on the books at Molineux, Davies Junior, who won the 2007/08 Apprentice of the Year award, revealed that he has two very proud parents at home who were 'over the moon' when he broke the news to them that he was following in Mark's foot-steps.

"My mom and dad where just as excited as me!" he added. "They were over the moon and it's nice that my brother can maybe help me a little as he's been where I am now.

"I'm a totally different player to him though. He's a tricky little player whereas I'm more of a holding midfielder.

"I'm just happy to be given a chance at Walsall and now I want to make the most of the opportunity."