KIDDERMINSTER Harriers have placed two of their rising academy players on contract after the pair impressed last season.

Harriers have sealed the signing of 17-year-old striker Jaiden White together with 18-year-old winger Reiss Taylor-Randle by handing them their first ever professional deals.

The promising duo have also been added to the first team squad for the coming season and are expected to challenge for starting places.

Not only have the pair impressed with the academy but have caught the eye when featuring in competitions like the ECFA Cup and National League under-19 Alliance teams that achieved runners-up honours in addition to training with the first team during the course of last term.

Taylor-Randle has already made two first team appearances last term while White featured on four occasions, including a start in Harriers final game of the season against Guiseley.

Their elevation is another huge feather in the cap for the club's academy set-up and boss John Pemberton is keen to see them both develop further.

Pemberton is also eager to encourage more of Harriers young guns to take their chance at first team level but has warned they will be expected to meet the same standards as the rest of the squad.

He said: "There are a lot of complaints at football clubs that young players don't get their opportunity.

"I think if the players are good enough, or have the potential, then they need opportunity.

"I am not expecting young lads to set the world alight but I'm certainly looking at where they are, how they conduct themselves and their enthusiasm and attitude.

"If you give me those in a young player, then I can work with that and make it better."