One of our Own, Tom Dean has been recalled from his loan at Plymouth Parkway and has signed a new one-year contract with the club, with a club option of a further year.
The 19-year-old, who has spent the season on loan at the Southern League side, has had an excellent campaign in Plymouth and has been recalled by manager Gary Caldwell ahead of the final few matches of 2024/25. Rewarded with a new deal, with a view to a further one year club option.
At Parkway Tom made 43 appearances in all competitions, scoring five goals and registering an impressive 16 assists.
Tom was also in fantastic form in the Premier League Cup, where he notched five goals as City made it through the group stage as winners, going unbeaten. Tom made his full City debut last season in City's EFL Trophy match against Arsenal U21s at SJP.
“And having spoken to the manager here he said he was really impressed with how I applied myself this year, in training and in under-21 games and he has said he wants me to work closely with the first team for the final few weeks of the season.
Away from his loan spell, Dean played a pivotal part in City’s Premier League Cup campaign, which he believes had a huge benefit to him.
“They have been vital for me – the six or seven games we played – to give me and my teammates a platform to show to the staff how good we are and I think we more than achieved that in the competition.
“And playing at Parkway as well gave me a mixed games programme, with the real physical play in non-league alongside the fast paced flowing games of the under-21s of other academy sides really helping my development. It is has really developed me as a player, and I’ve chipped in with goals – the lads down there have really helped me.
“If the opportunity comes around [to play first team football before the end of the season] then I will be more than ready to take it.”
Speaking about extending Tom's contract, Manager Gary Caldwell said: "Tom has been one of our best academy players this year in terms of output - not just on-loan at Plymouth Parkway where he has provided a fantastic amount of goals and assists and in the U21 Premier League Cup he was one of our best players every game. He has shown great potential for the future."
Watch the full interview from Tom: