Rodrigo Silva has signed a two-year contract with The Gingerbreads.

The 18-year-old has come through the Grantham Town Academy Scholarship, picking up the Golden Boot for his 46 goals, and is the first to be awarded a contract with the first team.

Rodrigo had an impressive start to pre-season, having scored the equaliser at Harrowby and a hat-trick against Bourne Town as well as winning the penalties at Newark Flowserve and Cotgrave.

Joint Manager Paul Rawden said: "Seeing his attitude to start with is brilliant. He's young and hungry.

"He's learning from the older heads around him. We saw more than enough to know he's a real talent."

Alex Watson, Grantham Town Academy Director, added: "To be the first academy player to be awarded a contract with the first team is very special.

"It's been really encouraging to see academy players taking part in the first team training, Paul and Russ are really keen to have that pathway.

"Rodrigo is a great lad and hopefully he will go far, but in the meantime he has to get his head down with the first team and carry on how he's started."

Nigel Westwood, Grantham Town Chairman, said: "We're delighted for him.

"I've been asked a lot by supporters about Rodrigo and where he fits in our plans. I think offering him the contract shows how he does."