SEVEN youth team players have been offered professional contracts by Burnley.

Connor Mitchell, Alex Whitmore, Callum Richardson, Nathan Lowe, Kevin Ly, Luke Daly, Evan Galvin will move into the Under 21 development squad group for the 2014/15 season.

The group have played more than 30 games, many against Category 1 and Category 2 Academy opposition, such as Liverpool, Everton, Stoke and Sunderland, which club staff feel has provided a different challenge to the Youth Alliance league.

Academy manager Jason Blake said: “Each player has earned his offer of a new contract because of a combination their performances in matches, the high standards of their application in training and their attitude to listen to the coaching staff and apply that advice in order to progress as a person and a professional footballer.

“Our initial aim for the scholars is to secure a first professional contract. These players have achieved that and should be proud of what they have achieved, however it is imperative that they now move their focus to a new target.

“The academy philosophy is to produce players that go on to become regular first players, so we work hard to ensure that players moving into the Under 21 Development Squad do not get comfortable as a professional but are motivated to continue their development.”

But goalkeeper Callum Jakovlevs, defender Charlie Holt and striker Lewis Nuttall will not be offered new contracts when their current deals expire in the summer.