A teenager who nearly went blind has signed a professional deal with Dundee FC.

Connor Coupe, 16, of Kirkton, underwent emergency surgery two weeks ago after he was diagnosed in April with keratoconus — an eye condition which threatened to take his sight and end his football career.

Despite still being in recovery from the procedure, he was called up to Dens Park for a meeting with Dundee gaffer Paul Hartley on Wednesday and signed a professional contract.

The former St John’s RC High School pupil, who sat his last exam on Friday told the Tele he was “buzzing” after committing to the club full time.

He said: “I had felt like everything was going well but after being diagnosed I thought that it might not happen.

“From where I was then to being here now, it is just unbelievable. If I didn’t have football it would have been a total nightmare. I feel like I a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders and now I can just concentrate on the football — it was brilliant signing the contract.

“The manager made me feel really welcome — he said it was because of my enthusiasm and work rate that I was getting the opportunity.

“I just feel like nothing can stop me now.

“It is a big relief — now I just need to work as hard as I can and concentrate on my football.”

Keratoconus causes the cornea to weaken, get thinner and change shape, producing blurred and distorted vision.

It affects between one in 3,000 and one in 10,000 people.

The exact cause of the condition is unknown.

Connor’s mum Gill said: “When he was diagnosed with this condition he didn’t give up. He just didn’t let it get in his way at all.

“Connor just had the determination and told himself that is what he wanted to do.

“The hard work has begun — he is a working man now.

“His recovery from the surgery has been great. His vision is still blurry but he’s doing really well.

“He has two more appointments left, we will be back in London later this month.

“If everything goes well there he will be able to come back home for the rest of the treatment.”