THE BORO centre of excellence has produced its first successful graduate after Michael Thalassitis signed a two-year contract with the club. N Power League Team Stevenage are in the Play off final to play Torquay.

The 18-year-old striker has impressed first team boss Graham Westley having spent the last few weeks training with the first team and the Greek Edmonton born teenager has been rewarded with a professional contract.

Centre of excellence manager Mark Jones told the club’s official website: “I’m really delighted for Michael, it shows that if a player performs well on a regular basis then the club will notice and are prepared to reward that individual. I hope that Michael is just the first of many players that we will help to produce over the coming years.”

Boro’s centre of excellence was set up last summer following the club’s promotion into the Football League and the club hopes Thalassitis is the first of many successful graduates.

“It’s my first club, I’ve never had a contract before,” he told the club website.

“I was really happy when I was told I would be going in with the first team. I went in to try and earn myself a contract and that’s what I’ve done.”