Exeter make 'historic' offer to keep teenager Richards

Jake Richards was named League One Apprentice of the Year at April's EFL awards

Exeter City have made a 'historic' offer to highly rated teenage midfielder Jake Richards.

The 17-year-old is out of contract and the Devon side have been in talks over a senior deal for some time with the academy player.

Richards, who made his debut on his 16th birthday in August 2023, has featured 32 times for the club in all competitions.

"We've made him the biggest offer we've made any 17-year-old in the history of the football club, so we're doing everything we can to try and keep him," Caldwell told BBC Radio Devon.

"He's a young player who we believe has a really bright future.

"We've given him a fantastic pathway from a 16-year-old kid making his debut to where he is now.

"He played a great number of games last season in League One, he was Academy Player of the Year in League One last season, which was a brilliant achievement for him, so obviously we want to keep him."

Mitchell leaves for Leyton Orient

Demetri Mitchell joined Exeter City in January 2023 and has scored 12 goals in 61 appearances

Meanwhile winger Demetri Mitchell has turned down a new offer from Exeter to move to League One rivals Leyton Orient.

The 28-year-old former Manchester United player missed the start and end of last season through injury.

He missed much of 2024 after suffering a serious knee ligament injury and had been training with Exeter.

"He's been brilliant since he came to this club," said Caldwell.

"We invited him in because we felt it was fair, he was coming back from an injury and we wanted to see his fitness levels and we weren't in a position to offer him a contract that was what he had last season because of the injuries.

"But Demi Mitchell, if he stays if he goes, is brilliant for this football club and has been a great part of what we've done in the last few seasons."