Homegrown Horton signs five-year contract
Glamorgan Cricket is delighted to announce that Academy product, Alex Horton, has signed his first professional contract with the club.
The 16-year-old wicket-keeper batsman has signed a five-year deal which will keep him at Glamorgan until at least the end of the 2024 season.
His contract will see him complete the first year of his five-year deal on a development basis, allowing him to finish his GCSEs and train with the first team, before becoming a fully contracted Glamorgan player in 2021.
Horton became the youngest player in Glamorgan history to make his debut for the 2nd XI when he played against Gloucestershire in June last year and struck 58 in the first innings.
He currently plays his senior cricket for Newbridge Cricket Club in the South Wales Premier Cricket League where he made his first team debut as a 13-year-old.
“I’m delighted to sign for my home county,” said Horton. “I’ve always wanted to play for Glamorgan and to be given the chance to be a professional player for the club is a dream come true.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time in the academy and I can’t wait to get started next season. It’ll be a long process but I’m looking forward to working hard and developing alongside some incredible players.”
Director of cricket, Mark Wallace, added: “Alex has been on our pathway since he was ten years old, he’s been a standout player in the academy, and the best way for him to develop will be to integrate him with the professional staff.
“He’s a real talent, and especially for one so young, but we’re very aware that right now it’s about his development. It’s about him playing a mix of junior cricket at his age group, academy cricket and giving him exposure in the second team and with the pros where possible.
“We wouldn’t be signing him to a contract if we didn’t think he had the ability to play first team cricket in the not-so-distant future, but that doesn’t mean it will be this season or next season. We won’t hold him back because of his age – if he deserves to play he will but if he needs that extra stage of development he’ll have that opportunity.”