Barnet Football Club are delighted to announce that Under-18s forward Ephron Mason-Clark has signed his first professional contract with the Bees.

The 17-year-old, who joined Barnet aged 11, made his first-team debut against Norwich City in the Checkatrade Trophy earlier this season.

“We’re absolutely delighted,” said Academy manager Henry Newman. “It’s always nice to see players sign professional deals, especially someone like Ephron who has been at the Football Club for a number of years.

“I coached him six or seven years ago when I was working here as a part-time coach. Now, as Academy manager, to see him get over the line and take the first step on the road to becoming a fully-fledged professional footballer and making multiple appearances for the first team is really good to see.

“Ephron really deserve it, not just from the work he has put in this year but in the six or seven years he has been in the Academy.”

Mason-Clark, who is currently on loan at Isthmian Premier Division side Met Police, said: “It feels good, I am happy and everyone in my family is happy about it. I just want to kick on and help the team as much as I can.

"Henry and Dean Selvey have told me that this is where the hard work really starts and if I’m able to kick on and work hard on and off the pitch I can get more minutes.

"My aims for the rest of this season are to work hard, try to get noticed by Martin Allen and get as many minutes as I can to show the gaffer I am willing to work as hard as I can for the team."

You can watch Henry’s full interview by clicking here and watch Ephron discuss his professional contract below: