Bohemian FC is delighted to confirm that academy graduate Chris Lotefa has signed his first professional contract with the club.
The forward, 18, came to Bohs from partner club St Kevin’s as a schoolboy and progressed right through the Bohemians academy from U15 to U19 level.
He made his senior debut as a late substitute against Finn Harps in September and has tasted first-team action this season too with a standout performance against Crumlin United in the Leinster Senior Cup.
First-team manager Declan Devine said: “I am delighted for Chris. He is a player who has been around the first-team panel way before I came here.
“As well as congratulating Chris, I have to congratulate the academy staff and all the coaches who have helped him get to this point.
“He is a fantastic young talent. He is very dynamic, he is very tricky. He knows he has further to go and it will only benefit him being around the first-team group of players – good people who will help him reach the next level.
“Before I came to the club, I saw him come on against Finn Harps up in Ballybofey and he had a goal very harshly ruled out, and he played in our last round of the Leinster Senior Cup against Crumlin recently and was the best player on the pitch.”
Lotefa said: “I am really delighted. This is a proud day for me and it is a proud day for my family too.
“I feel I have worked hard to get to this point. It has been a great journey to get here and now I want to work even harder to push on more again and do everything I can to play for Bohs.
“I know that there are young players, including friends of mine, who have been given first-team opportunities at Bohs so I will work hard to make sure I am ready when given an opportunity.”
Head of Academy Craig Sexton said: “Chris came from St Kevin’s and right through the academy system.
“We are delighted that the pathway has opened up for him to progress to the first team.
“Declan has given him a great opportunity to develop both as a footballer and a person in a full-time first-team environment.
“We are very proud of his progress so far and for all the coaches who have helped him in his development so far.”
