Double deal

LUKE SIMPSON

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ATHLETIC recovered quickly from the blow of missing out on midfield target Iain Vigurs by signing up two more talented youngsters, taking the total number contracted for next season to 14.

Goalkeeper Luke Simpson and midfield man Danny Gosset have both agreed their first professional contracts, following teenage counterparts Chris Sutherland and Joe Cooper last week.

Gosset (18) has already been effective as a substitute in a late-season run-out at Shrewsbury. The Welsh prospect was named in the starting line-up in the final-day draw at Leyton Orient and proved his worth with an energetic and composed display.

Simpson hasn’t yet been selected by Johnson, but the 18-year-old’s talent can be measured by the number of top clubs, including Celtic and Manchester United, who have had a close look at him.

The goalkeeper featured as an unused substitute under Paul Dickov in the 2011-12 season and Simpson, from Heywood, has also played for Athletic in first-team friendlies.

Johnson will this week continue to bring in new blood, and several players have yet to commit to new deals for 2013-14, including Jean-Yves Mvoto, James Tarkowski, Kirk Millar and Carl Winchester.