The highly-rated striker, 17 today, has penned a deal keeping him at Turf Moor until the summer of 2022.

First year scholar Richardson, who joined the Clarets at eight years-old, has progressed through the Academy and scoring goals has become natural to the youngster.

And the Moston-born teenager insisted it was culmination of a dream to sign his first professional contract with Burnley.

Richardson said: “It’s life changing. I have worked so hard for this, training at 7pm at night and getting home at 10pm, four days a week, since about 12 years old.

“That is a long time, and to now sign my first professional contract, means the world to me and I’m absolutely over the moon.

Richardson and dad.jpg Richardson pictured with Dad, Paul.

“I have been here since I was eight years-old and ever since my first trial here, I just fell in love with Burnley Football Club.

“Everyone at the club has just made me feel so at home and I am delighted to have committed my future here.”

Richardson raised eyebrows at Turf Moor last season, scoring five goals on his debut for the youth team, aged just 15.

Later that year, having turned 16, he grabbed a hat-trick on his U23s debut and has featured on a regular basis for the Andy Farrell’s side throughout the current campaign.

That swift elevation through the ranks has since seen him play for the U18s just once, in the FA Youth Cup against Curzon Ashton.

Richardson cele.jpg

Richardson beamed: “Ever since that U18 game against Crewe, when I scored five goals on my debut, things have just got better and better for me.

“After that moment, everything changed. I then got a hat-trick on my debut for the U23s and I feel I’m progressing well.

“The club means the world to me. They have helped me so much, not just on the pitch but as a person as well, so I have a lot of love for Burnley.

“I just want to kick on now and carry on doing what I have been doing over the years, which is scoring goals.”

Richardson, who has found the net seven times this season for the Development Squad and Youth Team, has also been recognised with a debut England U17s call-up in November, when he made his debut against Denmark.

And the teenager has also had a taste of first team experience at Turf Moor, after being named on the bench against Sunderland in the Carabao Cup third-round at Turf Moor in August.

POS	Team	PL	PTS
10	EVE	4	4
11	BUR	5	4
12	STO	5	3

POS	Team	PL	PTS
10	EVE	4	4
11	BUR	5	4
12	STO	5	3

Richardson Signs Professional Contract

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