Josh Clarke said he was so happy he wanted to cry after being handed a spot in Brentford’s First Team squad.
Josh, 19, has been on a Development Squad contract since the start of the season after completing a two-year scholarship.
On Thursday it was announced his deal was to be converted to a First Team contract.
He will be part of the squad and train with the First Team every day.
Josh, speaking to Bees Player after hearing the news, said it was unexpected.
He said he had worked hard in recent months to improve his game and thought Brentford Manager Mark Warburton and the staff had noticed.
“I was gobsmacked,” said Josh.
“I was so happy I wanted to cry.
“I have worked so hard through my scholarship and since turning pro.
“I didn’t know this was coming, I worked hard and then the promotion came.
“I was expecting another year at Development Squad level but very happy.
“I have trained with the First Team now and then.
“In the last six months I have got my head down, been happy and started producing on the pitch.
“The gaffer and the staff have noticed that I have done well on and off the pitch.”
Josh has had a meteoric rise since joining The Bees in 2011.
Prior to signing a two-year scholarship at the age of 17 he was effectively playing park football.
He made his First Team debut in the Capital One Cup defeat to Derby County last August, featured in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie against Peterborough United in October and has been an unused substitute on two more occasions.
Josh, who will be 20 in in July, played 17 games for Brentford’s Development Squad in the Under-21 Professional Development League last term, scoring once.
He has been involved in 16 games for The Bees in the Under-21 Professional Development League this season and had loan spells at Skrill South Maidenhead United and Skrill Premier Braintree to add to a spell at Carshalton Athletic last season.
Josh said he was spotted by Shaun O’Connor, Head of Recruitment at Brentford’s Academy, and decided to head to Brentford.
He said he had seen team mates leave and in the past months had got his head down and concentrated on being a professional footballer.
“I was at college, training three times a week and in education before Brentford,” said Josh.
“I wasn’t full time, I just played for fun.
“I was spotted by Shaun O’Connor; I took the chance and came here.
“I have been working hard, getting my head down and hoping something would happen.
“It’s hard; I grew up with players that have been released.
“Football is hard.
“When you are a pro you realise it is serious and if you want to be a footballer you have to work.”
Josh said the hard work started now for him but he could learn from the experienced players in the Brentford squad.
He said it was an exciting time to be at Brentford with The Bees just promoted to The Championship.
“I know the hard work starts now,” said Josh.
“I have to do extra work on my end product and add things to my game.
“I have to watch the guys in front of me so I can try to improve.
“I can look up to the other guys, ask them questions.
“They can help me.
“It is a very exciting time to be here.
“If I play next season, it will be in The Championship.”
Bees Player subscribers can see a full video interview with Josh Clarke here.