Teenage goalkeeper Harry Lee signs new Exeter City contract

Exeter City have confirmed teenage goalkeeper Harry Lee has signed a new deal with the Grecians. The 19-year-old goalkeeper had a fantastic 2023/24 season on loan, firstly at Weston-super-Mare, where he kept eight clean sheets in 20 appearances, before a second spell at Salisbury where his season was cut short by a broken arm.

Lee has now almost recovered from his injury, and will be a part of Gary Caldwell’s squad for the impending pre-season schedule, which kicks off on July 9 at Tiverton Town. He has signed a deal to stay at St James Park until at least the end of the 2024/25 season.

"I knew as soon as I was offered it that I was going to sign it," Lee said. "This is the best place to play my football, and I can just focus on my football now. I've been so lucky to work with an amazing group of goalkeepers and train with them every day - I learnt so much off Vil, and Shaun with his professionalism.

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"I think i'll go out on loan again, but I'll have pre-season here where I will play and try to go out there and impress the gaffer and Kev [Miller, GK Coach]. I will always go to play the best I can so I am ready when I come back to break into the first team."

“Harry’s a young player with big potential,” manager Gary Caldwell added. “He is someone that will probably look to loan out again and get him game time elsewhere and continue his development.

“We see a big future for Harry. It’s important that he makes this season a successful season by making his loan a successful loan and progressing his career. We’re delighted he’s signed but we will still look to sign another goalkeeper to push Harry and Shaun in that department.”

Caldwell did not name any names, but the Grecians have been linked with a loan move for Crystal Palace’s talented young shot-stopper Joe Whitworth.

The 20-year-old has impressed at Palace having joined their Academy from AFC Wimbledon and he has two senior appearances for the Eagles, against Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal in the Premier League.

Caldwell said: “(The goalkeeper situation is) similar to last year. We got Vil pretty early. We’re still confident we can do that, but we’re working with other clubs, so we’re hopeful that will happen soon but we have to wait for other clubs.”

With City returning for pre-season training today, they are in a good place in terms of numbers ahead of the 2024/25 season, although there will be more signings over the summer.

Scottish defender Jack McMillan is being strongly linked with a move to Devon and his signing could ae announced soon. The 26-year-old is out of contract having turned down a new deal at Livingston and his manager at Almondvale, David Martindale, confirmed he was taking up an opportunity at a League One club in England, believed to be Caldwell’s Grecians.

It was also announced that Demi Mitchell has penned a new deal with City. The 27-year-old has had fans on tenterhooks through his social media channels all summer, but let it slip that he was penning a new deal several weeks ago. Official confirmation came yesterday when the club announced he was staying for another 12 months, much to the delight of everyone connected to the club.