Luke Norris said he wants to kick on and play in Brentford’s First Team after signing a new one-year contract earlier this week.
The 20-year-old striker put pen to paper on a new contract on Tuesday.
The forward was part of Brentford’s successful Development Squad last season and helped The Bees finish fourth in the inaugural Under-21 Professional Development League Two South.
He finished as Brentford’s top scorer in the Professional Development League, hitting ten goals in 18 games.
Luke joined Brentford as a scholar in 2010 and turned professional last summer – he said he was pleased to continue his stay at Griffin Park and wanted to add to two Football League appearances he has made as a substitute.
“It is very pleasing to sign,” he told Bees Player on Tuesday.
“I thought I was lucky to get my first professional contract.
“I had a good first year as a scholar but didn’t really play in my second due to injury.
“Last year was a good year for more but also bad in some ways.
“I felt I did really well in the Under-21s and I was pleased to sign another year and look to kick on from here and play in the First Team.”
Luke suffered with an ankle injury in his second year as a scholar but stayed fit last season and played regularly.
He was a regular scorer as Brentford challenges for honours in the Under-21 league.
They beat every team they played at least once, including Charlton Athletic – who finished top of the table and won the Play-Offs between the two best teams in the southern league and the two best in the northern section – and Cardiff City, who were runners-up.
Queens Park Rangers, Swansea City, Brighton and Hove Albion and Bristol City were also despatched over the course of the season.
Luke paid tribute to Brentford’s medical and fitness teams for helping him maintain fitness and said he hoped his goal scoring form would continue in to 2013/14.
“I worked hard last year with the medical team, physios and fitness team,” he said.
“They all helped me and it was the fittest I have been.
“It was also the longest I have spent playing without getting an injury.
“If I can have another year like that I will be pleased.
“We played some good teams and it was nice to play against players that have played in The Championship and Premier League.
“We could have won the league.
“We beat Charlton, who won it, and Cardiff, who got to the final.
“We didn’t have the best start but we played well and competed with the Championship and Premier League teams.
“I didn’t do too bad with my goal scoring and I was pleased.
“If I can carry it on it will be very pleasing.”
Luke made his Football League debut against Southampton in 2011 and then played a year later against Sheffield Wednesday.
He admitted he was disappointed not to have played last season but had spoken to Manager Uwe Rösler, Development Squad Manager Jon De Souza and Academy Director Ose Aibangee about what he needed to do to play more at the top level.
He said he had a good summer break and was ready for the start of pre-season training where he could stake his claim.
“I made my debut as a first year scholar but then had the injury,” said Luke.
“The gaffer then played me against Sheffield Wednesday and I thought I was cemented.
“It was disappointing not to play last year so it is something I have to work on.
“I have spoken to the manager and hopefully he can put his trust in me.
“I spoke to Jon and Ose about what I need to do.
“At the start of the season the manager wasn’t keen on my work rate.
“I think that improved massively as the season went on.
“I was unlucky last year as I was seriously ill in the off season.
“I feel good this year; hopefully I can get in the manager’s plans.”
He said he felt Brentford could push for promotion from League One this season and his aim was to play First Team football.
“I’m looking forward to the start of the season,” he said.
“As a team I feel we can push for promotion.
“Personally, my aim is to play First Team games.
“Hopefully that can happen.”
Bees Player subscribers can see a full video interview with Luke Norris here.