LUCA Picotto has signed a professional contract with Brentford FC following a successful trial period at the club.
The Jersey-born 18-year-old had been at Fulham’s academy for the last five years, and this week he has made the switch from one West London club to another.
The defender recently featured in two Under-21 fixtures against Hull City and Huddersfield Town, where his performances were enough to secure a one-year deal at The Bees.
In an interview with Brentford FC Academy, Picotto discussed his journey to professional football: “I grew up in Jersey, playing for the island team until I was 12. I then got scouted by Fulham and came over for a trial, but then Covid struck and I wasn’t ready to leave Jersey yet.
“But I got to 14 and my family made the decision to move over to West London and Fulham signed me immediately, and I’d been there the past five years.”
Picotto will join up with the Brentford B side, who are the reigning National Champions of the Professional Development League, which is one tier below Premier League 2.
The Brentford B head coach, Sam Saunders, told Brentford FC in an interview: “Luca has settled in really well since coming on trial with us and he’s made a very positive impression on both the staff and the players.
“He has demonstrated his quality throughout his trial, training with intensity and working hard in games.”
Picotto continued to tell Brentford FC that he has been pleased with his time at the club so far: “The coaches have been really helpful, always making sure I know what I need to do, making sure I understand my role within the team, and making sure I don’t feel like a triallist, which I think is really important.”
