SWANS: Academy player of the season Heywood signs first professional deal

Swansea City centre-back Carter Heywood has signed his first professional contract, securing his future at the club until the summer of 2029.

The 17-year-old has been with the Swans since under-nine level, and signed scholarship terms ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.

The impression he has made since means the pro deal arrives with Heywood only entering the second year of that scholarship.

The defender was named Academy Player of the Season at this year’s annual player awards dinner, after a season competing for both the under-18s and under-21s.

His form has brought a string of Wales call-ups. Heywood played up an age group for the under-19s in March, having featured for the under-17s in October and November 2025.

He captained the under-17s in their games against Slovenia and Portugal.

The teenager’s rise has now reached the senior squad. Heywood travelled to Austria with the first team this summer, featuring in all three pre-season fixtures.

He played against Holstein Kiel, in the defeat to VfL Bochum, and in the win over Serie A side Udinese that closed out the camp.

The new contract makes him the latest academy product to commit his long-term future to the club, days after full-back Sam Parker joined Wycombe Wanderers on loan to continue his own development in League One.

For Heywood, the pathway now runs from the under-21s towards the senior matchday squad, with pre-season minutes already banked.

The Swans open their Championship campaign next month.

The club said Heywood signed his deal “after a highly successful season” at academy level.