Malawian teenage midfielder Jaydon Makhalira has signed his first three-year professional contract with English second-tier league club Sheffield United FC.
The 17-year-old joined the club in 2021 out of grassroots football and has worked his way up through the age groups, shining regularly at youth levels before representing the Under-21s at just 16.
Sheffield United FC Academy announced through its Instagram platform on Thursday that the energetic midfielder is now a professional player at the Blades.
“Midfielder Jaydon Makhalira has become the latest academy prospect to sign a first professional contract with the Blades. Congratulations, Jaydon!” the club states.
According to his father, Dr. Aubrey Makhalira, the development means Jaydon will occasionally be featured in Sheffield United’s first team while regularly playing in the Under-21 side.
“Jaydon has been dreaming to play in the first team, but did not expect such an opportunity to come this early. We are grateful to God for his grace and faithfulness,” he said.
Makhalira added that his son will always be available if called by the Malawi Football National Team.
Last year, he secured a full-time football scholarship at Sheffield FC’s Academy alongside 11 others and had been playing for the Under-18 team before featuring for the Under-21 side this year.
Jaydon comfortably plays both on the right and left flanks and uses both legs. He can also play as a striker and is an agile athlete.
He started playing football at the age of four at the UK’s Soccer Academy, which is run by former footballers Andy Welsh and Danny Cadamarteri.
