Republic of Ireland Under-19 attacker Troy Parrott has marked his 17th birthday by putting pen to paper on his first professional contract with Tottenham Hotspur.

Parrott's progress at Spurs has been impressive and swift. He moved to London last June from Dublin schoolboys outfit Belvedere Boys and has flourished at the Premier league giants.

Parrott's eye-catching performances against the likes of Inter Milan and Barcelona in the UEFA Youth League did not go unnoticed, and first-team boss Mauricio Pochettino is an admirer of his talents.

The teenager travelled with the Spurs squad for their Premier League match against Leicester City in December, and Pochettino has hinted that he is prepared to elevate the club's best young talent into his side as they look to come through an injury crisis that's claimed the likes of Harry Kane and Dele Alli.

Parrott signed a contract with Spurs last summer, when he was still only 16. Turning 17 allows him to sign a pro contract at White Hart Lane, who were keen to tie down one of the most exciting prospects they have in their academy.

It's highly likely the silky Dubliner will be called into Stephen Kenny's Ireland Under-21 panel in the coming weeks too.

Kenny name-checked Parrott in his first press conference, and could draft him into his squad ahead of the European Championships qualifying campaign which starts with a home fixture against Luxembourg on 24 March.