Striking prospect Ben Andreucci is set to join Wanderers' B Team squad as the club’s development programme continues to strengthen.
Andreucci has agreed a two-year deal with the Whites – with a further year’s option – after leaving Leeds United.
The 18-year-old forward progressed through the Academy at Elland Road to feature for Leeds in the U18 Premier League, as well as appearing at Premier League 2 level.
A Scotland U19 international, Andreucci scored nine times last season, including two decisive goals to help Leeds reach the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup, after hitting double figures in 2021/22.
Wanderers headed off competition from a number of Championship clubs to secure Andreucci’s services on a first professional contract.
His arrival, from 1 July, will add to the striking depth in Matt Craddock’s squad as the B Team prepares for its second season as a development group and a link between Academy football and a potential first-team future with Wanderers.
“I’m buzzing to be here,” said Andreucci, after being confirmed as the first of a number of planned summer signings for the B squad.
“This is everything that I have worked for and to sign with such a big club makes me excited to see what the future holds.
“The pathway at the club is there and it’s something I want to be part of and break through. It is important for me to keep developing over the next couple of years and take my opportunities when they come.
“It’s important to settle in early on and really push to show what I can do to try to push into the first team. That will be a tough ask, but I think having that right mentality will help me along that journey. My mentality needs to be to keep pushing every day.
“The manager (Matt Craddock) has told me to just come in, be myself and play the way I play. It’s an exciting couple of years ahead and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Andreucci’s arrival follows confirmation last month that seven members of the existing B Team have signed new deals to continue the progression of last season, which saw Craddock’s side play a total of 30 games and several players get the opportunity to experience first-team football out on loan.
Those include striker Conor Carty, who is currently on loan at St Patrick’s Athletic and has just received his first call-up to the Republic of Ireland’s U21 squad.
The B Team returns for pre-season training later this month with the following friendly fixtures confirmed so far:
Lancaster City (A) – Wednesday 12 July, 7pm.
Longridge Town (A) – Tuesday 18 July, 7pm.
Atherton Collieries (A) – Saturday 22 July, 12pm.