NON LEAGUE: PETERBOROUGH United boss Darren Ferguson said he had a “player for the future” as he unveiled the signing of a Thurrock gem.

Thurrock defender Ricardo Santos is stepping up to professional football after agreeing to join Peterborough United.

The Portuguese centreback completed a move to the Cambridgeshire League One side last week.

The 18-year-old made 24 appearances for Thurrock, scoring one and helping them to mount a serious push for promotion back to the Ryman Premier League.

It’s known he was being watched by numerous professional clubs – including Joe Dunne’s Colchester United – before joining Sir Alex Ferguson’s son, Darren, at Posh.

After signing a three-and-a-half year deal, a delighted Santos, who had become a popular figure at the Ship Lane club, told the Peterborough United club website: “I am really pleased to be at Peterborough, I know a few of the lads already and the club is very ambitious. I am pleased to be here.”

Fleet boss Mark Stimson, who is well connected in the pro game, helped broker the deal for the six foot five defender who arrived at Fleet from Dagenham & Redbridge early in the season.

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