FIN Cartwright is the latest Middlesbrough youngster to sign his first professional contract on Teesside.

The teenager has been rewarded for his progress over the course of the last couple of years, with the midfielder impressing Michael Carrick and earning a first team opportunity last season.

Cartwright became Boro's second youngest ever player last season when he came off the bench in the Carabao Cup victory at Huddersfield. He was aged just 16 years and 161 days at the time.

The Redcar youngster, who turned 17 in February, has since been capped by England at Under-17s level.

Cartwright was a substitute for Boro in the 0-0 friendly draw with Harrogate on Wednesday night and came off the bench, replacing Alex Gilbert, for the final 17 minutes.

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Carrick has handed first team opportunities to several Boro academy youngsters since his arrival as head coach at the end of 2022.

He said at the end of last season: “I’ve said it from day one, I really enjoy giving young players a chance and trying to help develop them.

"Of course, from the other side, they need to be good enough, or show potential to be good enough. Not every player can make it because there is so much competition in every position. There is a point of being good enough and also picking the right time.

"Not everyone can get that big chance, if you like, but certainly we’ll give them every opportunity we can in terms of training with us, having eyes on them and taking care of them to see how we can help develop them in the hope of getting them around the group by taking each step."