Stamford School student Alex Green signs a professional contract with Leicestershire County Cricket Club

A talented Stamford School cricketer has signed his first professional contract.

Alex Green has agreed a long-term deal with Leicestershire County Cricket Club after committing his future with the Foxes until the end of the 2027 season.

The six foot six inch fast bowler has risen through the ranks since joining the county as a 10-year-old.

He made his first team debut against Yorkshire Vikings during Leicestershire’s Metro Bank One Day Cup campaign this summer.

The 17-year-old caught the eye in each of his three appearances, picking up four wickets at an average of 30.75, as the Foxes reached the semi-final stages.

Speaking to the county’s official club website, Green said: "I'm over the moon to have signed my first professional deal.

"It's everything I've wanted since I started my journey here and it feels surreal to have got to where I am now.

"A lot of coaches have helped me along the way.

"I owe a lot to Jigar Naik and Phil DeFreitas for developing my bowling and giving me so much confidence in my cricket.

"It's been brilliant to learn off Alonso Thomas too, given the incredible skill he had as a bowler."

Green follows in the footsteps of Stamford School old boy Josh Hull - who made his Test debut for England earlier this year - by earning his county contract.

He added: "There’s a lot of role models at Leicestershire.

"I've taken great inspiration from the likes of Sam Wood and Josh Hull, particularly seeing what Hully's done with England. It opens my eyes and makes me believe it's possible for me.

"It was amazing watching the team win the One Day Cup last year and it made me want to be a part of days like that. I'm so proud I get to be involved in that environment now."

Green's fast-tracked progression to senior cricket followed an incredible run of form for Leicestershire’s Under 18s, with the teenager claiming 85 wickets at just 16.6 since the start of 2023.

A dozen of those wickets - taken at an average of 10.8 and conceded at just 4.65 runs per over - helped fire Jigar Naik’s side to Vitality U18 County T20 Finals Day earlier this month, where Green’s clinical display saw him snare terrific figures of 3-3 in the semi-final against Warwickshire.

The Peterborough-born bowler has also starred on the international stage this year, marking his England Under 19 Test debut in July with two wickets against Sri Lanka, while he has claimed 12 wickets at 16.5 in 50-over cricket for the Young Lions.

Director of Cricket, Claude Henderson, said: "We have been really pleased with Alex’s progress over the past 12 months, with huge credit owed to the efforts of our Pathway coaches.

"Alex has all the tools to become a match-winner for Leicestershire and we are excited to watch his progression in the coming seasons."

Green becomes the latest Academy graduate in a proud production line at Grace Road, following the likes of Rehan Ahmed, Josh Hull, and Sam Wood in recent seasons.