Jake Jervis with first team boss Alex McLeish and Academy manager Terry Westley

Young Blues starlets Jake Jervis and Jack Butland are celebrating after landing pro contracts with Birmingham City.

Striker Jervis, 18, and goalkeeper Butland, who was 17 on Wednesday, put pen to paper on two-and-a-half year deals after both spending the last three years with the club's Academy.

Jervis, who has featured in the first team squad in the last few months and made his first team debut as a late substitute in the FA Cup tie at Everton, and England youth keeper Butland are delighted to have become professionals.

The proud pair have been rewarded for their hard work but know that it's just the start of the journey.

Frontman Jervis, this season's current top scorer for both the reserve and Under-18 sides, was born in Wolverhampton and brought up in Telford.

He told bcfc.com: "This is a reward for the hard work I have put in but I know that nothing has been achieved yet and that as a footballer it is all about dedication, commitment and hard work day in, day out to keep improving.

"I'd like to thank everyone who has helped me get to this point, not least Academy Manager Terry Westley, the Academy staff and all my team-mates and friends at Wast Hills. Without them I wouldn't have got to this.

"Getting into the first team set-up, as I've been proud to do recently, is what I've worked so hard to do and the experience has been amazing.

"It was a great feeling to run out there and play at Goodison Park and now that I've had a taste of it I have to continue to give it my all to make sure I get even more opportunities."

Jack Butland puts pen to paper on his pro contract

Shot-stopper Butland, who measures up at an impressive 6ft 3ins and comes from Clevedon near Bristol, has featured three times for the reserves this season as well as playing 18 games for the U-18s. But the ambitious youngster has set his sights on bigger things too.

He said: "I've really enjoyed my three years here and have had lots of good times at this club already so to sign a professional contract is a very proud moment for me.

"I have worked hard to get this but now I've got to work even harder as I know there's so much more I can do to keep improving and become a better goalkeeper.

"I'd like to thank everyone at the club, on both an Academy and first team front, for all the help they have given me. Terry Westley and the Academy staff have been very supportive ever since I arrived here and goalkeeping coach Dave Watson has been great.

"Training with Joe Hart, Maik Taylor and Colin Doyle every day has been hugely beneficial and it's great to be playing for a club that is winning games, doing well in the Premier League and has a real ambition and focus about it.

"That matches my own ambitions because I want to go right to the very top, although I understand that I will only have a chance of that if I continue to work hard every day."