OPINION
Troy Parrott is a young player destined for big things.
That much has been evident ever since Spurs won the race for his signature ahead of a number of other Premier League big hitters and were so impressed with his youth-team performances he was fast-tracked into the first team set-up.
It is a measure of the impact made by the teenager that he signed his first professional contract with the club at the earliest available opportunity, his 17th birthday on Monday.
Birthday boy ?? the best gift I could of asked for, delighted to sign my first professional contract with @SpursOfficial , proud moment for me and my family ? pic.twitter.com/z7exC2QiiL
— Troy Parrott (@troyparrott9) February 4, 2019
It is also a measure of how well he has done for the club’s Under-18s and Under-23s this season that a blitz of goals has meant supporters are well aware of who he is and his immense potential.
Fans are bouncing with joy that the Republic of Ireland youth international has graduated from scholarship to professional terms, and signed on the dotted line with the club.
Many regard him as a first-team star of the future, a centre-forward capable of following Harry Kane from the academy to established senior player.
Naturally, Parrott will have to be patient. It is not just talisman Kane blocking his path, but also the likes of Fernando Llorente, Son Heung-Min, Lucas Moura and, now he has been re-integrated, Vincent Janssen.
But cream always tends to rise to the top, and if Parrott is as good as he appears to be, he will not have to be on the fringes of the senior side for too long.