Yohan Rutty-Smith made history in February 2015 when he signed for Football League One side Notts County.
After making history back in November 2014 as the first NPLFA student to play first team football for Romulus FC, the 16-year-old became the first to progress to the professional game after signing for the midlands club.
The left-back, pictured, signed a two year deal at Meadow Lane only five months after the NPLFA opened its doors to their first intakes.
Hailing the production of their first graduate to the professional ranks so quickly after the NPLFA’s foundation, a spokesman said: “We are delighted at this news and very proud. Never in our wildest dreams did we imagine we would get our first professional graduate five months into the programme which just shows how successful it has been in it’s short time.
“Our aim first and foremost is to give our students the best educational package available to enable them to have a successful working career and we are also committed with our expertise to producing young footballers. Firstly for the first teams of the clubs involved but also to give those youngsters a second chance or even their first chance of becoming a professional footballer.
He added: “Everyone at the NPL Football Academy wishes Yohan the best of luck in his professional career and hopes he can continue his studies that he has worked hard for so far this season.”
A proud Romulus spokesman added: “The academy is gutted to lose such a great young talent, but, on the other hand and more importantly, we are all delighted that he has been given this fantastic opportunity with professional outfit Notts County.”
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