GUISELEY have announced that defender Chuk Molokwu has signed a new contract with the club after his breakthrough season.

Molokwu admitted he is looking forward to gaining more experience alongside club captain and mentor Hamza Bencherif.

The young centre-back, 18, was raised in Italy but his family moved to the UK four years ago to enable Chuk and his brother to progress their football.

Chuk, who now lives with his family in Wakefield, started playing football in Italy aged six and after playing in local teams was scouted by high level clubs.

On arrival in England he joined Guiseley’s Academy initially playing for their team based at Shipley College but Academy Head Coach Dave Currie soon spotted his potential and he moved up to the full Academy team.

He prospered with them and figured prominently in their amazing FA Youth Cup win over Bolton Wanderers last season. Chuk also impressed Guiseley’s first team management duo and made his first team debut in the Boxing Day game against Farsley Celtic after coming on as a substitute in the FA Trophy game against Stockport County. He also sat on the first team bench as an unused sub on five occasions last season.

Chuk has been associated with the Academy at Sheffield Wednesday and this summer hashad trials with Huddersfield Town, Doncaster Rovers and Stoke City.

He is now looking to push on and progress his game with Guiseley. He said: “Being with the first team group at Guiseley is amazing. The lads have been great to us young ones and it has improved my game and especially my confidence. Hamza has given me so many tips and it has paid off in my game. The guidance he has given me has been immaculate. It would be awesome to play alongside him in the first team.”

He added: “I am looking forward to playing in front of the Guiseley fans, they have shown me a lot of love and support via social media when I made my debut and when I have played for the Academy.”

By Rachel O’Connor