Billy Clarke determined to test himself after first professional contract
Billy Clarke is eager to continue to test himself and improve next season as he fulfils his dream signing his first professional contract at Swansea City.
The 18-year-old has put pen to paper on a deal running through until the end of June 2027.
In May, Clarke picked up the Under-18s' Player of the Season award at the annual Academy Awards, alongside the Tony Thomas Award; in recognition of his hard work in education and skills outside of football.
Now, with his professional future secured, he admits it is a milestone he has dreamed of achieving ever since joining the Swans.
"It's something I've been wishing for for quite a while," said Clarke.
"It's always been a goal of mine, especially when I signed my scholarship. I'm so happy to have that sorted now.
"I've been at Swansea for nearly six years now, which is quite less than a lot of the boys. I moved down here when I was 16, and I love it here."
Clarke, who hails from Cardiff, c
A switch to Taffs Well Academy proved to be the stepping stone that eventually led him to Swansea in 2020 but a short opportunity quickly turned into year-long wait as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted football across the country.
"Before the Swans, I was mainly playings for grassroots teams and Cardiff Schools. I moved to Taffs Well Academy before having a trial at Swansea," he added.
"My trial was just before COVID hit, and then my trial actually ended up being a year long as I joined late in 2020 as I finished off my trial.
"I then joined the under-12s, and ever since have gone up the age-groups up until now which is an amazing feeling."
Clarke described the first half of 2026 his 'best yet' following dramatic FA Youth Cup wins alongside winning Under-18s' Player of the Season.
He finished the 2025-26 campaign with 12 goals in all competitions across outings for the under-18s and under-21s.
In January, he scored a 120th-minute winner against Leeds United in the FA Youth Cup to send the young Swans into the fifth round for the first time in over 15 years.
"The past two years have been great, we've had a lot of great moments in the league cup and the FA Youth Cups, but this year was probably the best," he added.
"That FA Youth Cup game against Leeds United was amazing, to score the winner in extra time was an amazing feeling.
"Those types of competitions, you play Premier League teams, who are a lot more physical and dynamic.
"And those are the types of teams you also face in under-21s football, and I'm looking forward to a full year of testing myself against these teams."