Richards would 'love to stay' at Exeter City

Jake Richards has made 31 appearances for Exeter City since his debut in August 2023

Highly rated Exeter City teenager Jake Richards says he would "love to stay" at the League One club.

The 17-year-old has still yet to agree his first professional deal at the club, having come up through the academy.

The midfielder has featured in 19 first-team games this season, including 11 appearances in League One, and was named the division's apprentice of the year at the English Football League (EFL) awards.

Negotiations between the club, Richards' representatives and his family are ongoing, with manager Gary Caldwell stating his desire to keep the talented midfielder at St James Park.

"Exeter's my hometown club so I'd love to stay and I'd love to be here for as long as possible," Richards told BBC Radio Devon.

"But there's obviously things going on behind the scenes that aren't really in my control. Negotiations are happening and ongoing.

"Not everything's true in the media, so things can sort of get tangled, but I'd love to be here next season and prove again the type of player I am because I still believe that I haven't shown what I'm fully capable of yet."

Jake Richards was named the EFL's League One apprentice of the season this week

Richards is the latest young player come to through Exeter's much-admired academy, following in the footsteps of the likes of Ollie Watkins, Ethan Ampadu and Jay Stansfield.

Having made his debut as a 16-year-old in the first round of last season's Carabao Cup, Richards' involvement in the first team has gradually increased.

This season he scored his first goals as a professional and has played 633 minutes in League One.

He says winning an EFL award for his work has inspired him to improve further.

"It's good that I've been recognised for my hard work and what I've done over the last two years," he said.

"It's obviously a personal achievement and I'm very happy about it, but I've just got to go into next season and obviously try and do the same, but with something bigger, aiming towards maybe League One young player of the season and stuff like that."