PENKETH footballer Andy Graham has been guaranteed a professional contract with a Football League club at the age of 13.

Graham has impressed with Eagle Sports and Warrington Schoolboys under 11s in the past and has now progressed so well that Stockport County have tied the midfielder to a contract that assures him of a two-year youth training scheme contract and a one-year professional deal in the future.

The Penketh High School pupil joined Stockport at the age of seven but interest from three Premiership clubs has prompted the League Two side to make moves to keep him at Edgeley Park.

Stockport have recently lost 17-year-old winger Ryan Crowther to Liverpool for a fee of around £250,000 and County boss Jim Gannon was keen not to lose Graham as well.

The youngster will not start his YTS contract until he turns 16 but is guaranteed a professional deal at the end of it.

Andy's father, Ken, said: "We think he's the youngest to be offered a professional contract by Stockport and he's made up. He's effectively been offered a job.

"If he does well they may scrap the YTS contract and give him a professional contract at 16, as happened with Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard."

Graham, who supports Liverpool, is a Gerrard fan and his game bears similarities to that of the dynamic England midfielder.

His father said: "He's a battler. He gets tackles in and scores his fair share of goals. He has a pass and can beat a player.

"He's 5ft 6in and he's taller than average. He punches above his weight.

"He's very fit and he plays like an adult."

Graham, who already has a boot deal with Diadora, played for Warrington under 11s when they shared the Barnet Shield House Cup with St Helens at Goodison Park two years ago.

He will play against older boys in Stockport's under 15s this year and his father is hoping he will be able to secure a day out of school each week to train, while not jeopardising his studies.