Albion under-18s goalkeepers Roco Rees and Fynn Talley have signed their first professional contracts.

They spent last season on loan at Worthing and Burgess Hill respectively.

Rees joined Albion from Portsmouth as ant under-12 level from Portsmouth.

He impressed on loan to Worthing when fellow Seagulls prospect Carl Rushworth was injured.

He said: “I am happy to get it done because it’s taken a long time because of the coronavirus situation. It’s a proud moment, but hopefully just the start.

“Going out on loan was a really good experience.

“Men’s football gives you a good education at that level and it puts your name on the map a little.

“It was really good for my development. You learn a different side of the game compared to academy football.

“You play against men and get roughed up a bit when corners and balls come into the box.

“It’s a bit different to what you’re used to but you need to learn and I really enjoyed it.”

Rees would like to further his experiences with another loan spell.

Talley was signed by the Albion from Arsenal in 2017.

He said: “It’s really exciting to sign my first professional contract.

“It’s a proud moment for me and my family and I am thankful to them for supporting me and driving me to all sorts of places over the years.

“It’s been a massive change since I moved from Arsenal, but I have been really enjoying my football.

“I’ve made a lot of progress in these past few years.

“I’ve improved in a lot of other areas as well. I have had a lot of specific goalkeeping training which has made a real difference to me.

“I hope to get a couple of appearances for the under-23s next seson.

“I have been on the bench a couple of times but I didn’t get on. I really enjoyed my loan spell this year and I want to go out again next season, I felt like I got a lot out of the experience.”