10 hours ago
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Rio Ferdinand's son Lorenz has followed in the footsteps and signed his first professional contract with a Premier League side after graduating from Brighton's youth academy.
The 18-year-old is the oldest of the Manchester United legend's children he shares with his first wife, the late Rebecca Ellison.
First joining the Seagulls ranks as part of the under-13 squad, Ferdinand Jnr plays as a goalkeeper, and featured this year in his first Premier League 2 action.
The teenager was later sent on loan to Havant & Waterlooville as part of a work experience deal to allow Lorenz to build up experience after the non-league side's first-choice 'keeper, Ben Dudzinski, was ruled out for the remainder of the season.
During his six unbeaten appearances, Lorenz kept two clean sheets in an impressive showing for the Southern League outfit.
Lorenz is one of 13 youth prospects to ink professional deals with Fabian Hurzeler's side, with Harry Howell and Freddie Simmonds among those to have spent some time training with the first team already.
Rio Ferdinand's son has signed his first professional contract with Brighton and Hove Albion
The teenager has made appearances with the under-21s team in Premier League 2 last term
Lorenz then linked up with Havant & Waterlooville for a short-term work experience loan
'We're pleased to see this cohort of players sign their first professional contracts here, with a number of them at the club from a very young age,' academy manager Ian Buckman said.
'All of them have already had some form of experience with the under-21s, while a few have been involved with the first team.
'We look forward to them continuing their careers with us and helping them develop over the coming years.'
The fresh deal for Lorenz comes one year after the shot-stopper signed with New Era Sports Management, a company whose current clients include Everton stars Michael Keane and Mason Holgate, Wrexham's Ollie Palmer, and Atalanta's Ben Godfrey.
New Era has Ferdinand Snr and Lorenz's uncle Anton as ambassadors and mentors within the company, which was founded by ex-professional footballers Jamie Moralee and Peter Smith in 2007.
Ferdinand and his wife Kate Wright travelled to Marlow to watch his son make his senior debut
At the time, his father posted on Instagram: 'Our eldest is on his own journey in football. Another nice moment signing with @neweraglobalsports, well earned through hard work & dedication.
'It's a long road full of ups and downs, so the right & professional support is required - so step forward @neweraglobalsports. Love you Lorenz.'
Ahead of joining up with the senior team for pre-season, Lorenz has been enjoying some necessary down time, sharing a slew of pictures from his holiday abroad to Instagram.
