TOWN have signed Tom Clarke, brother of first-teamer Nathan, on professional terms.

The 17-year-old Academy product, like his 21-year-old brother, a bright prospect in central defence, has agreed a two-and-a-half year contract.

Academy manager Gerry Murphy said of Clarke, pictured below: "Tom has incredible talent and I am delighted the club have decided to tie up his immediate future, because I don't believe there is a better centre-back at his age anywhere in the country.

"His reading of the game is excellent, he is a good passer and header of the ball and is comfortable with it at his feet.

"He enjoys bringing the ball out of defence and getting it forward, very much like his brother.

"He is not yet the finished article, but he is a very quick learner, and if he continues in the same vein, there is no end to what he can achieve."

Clarke has been with Town since the age of eight, and Murphy added: "He has been invited to train with the England age group squad, but the next step for myself and the Academy staff is to see him in a Huddersfield Town first-team shirt.

"I would like to thank his parents. It's a hard job taking boys to and from games and training, and if they didn't do it, we would not have these talented young players in the first place."

Chief executive Andrew Watson said: "Mr and Mrs Clarke certainly produce a top-class player. Perhaps they could add another member to the family!"