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Lopez, Cottrell, Hillson sign first pro contracts

Young players Ben Cottrell, James Hillson and Joel Lopez have been rewarded with their first professional contracts for the club.

Our under-18s were crowned champions of the U-18 Premier League South last term, with Cottrell and Lopez playing integral roles, while Hillson signed on loan during the season.

Ben Cottrell is a young attacking midfielder and an Arsenal Academy graduate, who scored five and assisted three in 21 league appearances last season.

Ben also made his debut in the Premier League 2 last April, with the 17-year-old starring in a 5-0 win over Derby County. Ben, who is also an England youth international at under-18 level, joined our Hale End Academy as an eight year-old.