AFC Fylde is thrilled to announce that Taelor O’Kane has signed his first professional contract with the Club. 

Taelor graduates from the Academy and puts pen to paper on a one-year deal at Mill Farm, with the option of an extra year held in the Club’s favour. 

He makes the step up to first-team football after joining the Club as a 15-year-old before signing onto the Academy programme on a full-time basis.

The 2022/23 Academy Player of the Year was an unused substitute in the 1-1 draw with Gillingham in the FA Cup First Round and has trained daily with Adam Murray’s squad.

As well as captaining the Under-18s side for most of the 2022/23 Youth Alliance campaign, Taelor contributed heavily to the side’s third consecutive Lancashire County Cup win. 

After securing Taelor’s signature, Director of Football Chris Beech said: “Having watched Taelor train with the first team over the Christmas period, both Adam and I looked at each other and said: ‘WOW’ after a performance in an SSG.

“Since then, Taelor’s progress has seen him train and travel regularly with the first team whilst attending meetings to educate and expand his football intelligence.

“Taelor comes from a great family where his dad, John O’Kane, used to play professionally for Manchester United and Everton, and after meeting his mum on the day he signed his contract, Taelor gave me great confidence that his family values will stand him in good stead for his future challenges.

“I would like to thank them both for their extra journeys and commitment to supporting the process.

“Taelor joins us after a successful two-year period completing his B-tech studies in our Academy. Both Chris Ganner and his staff, along with his education providers, take great credit for their part in his development.

“The challenge for Taelor is to earn a place in our starting 11 at National League level, which I’m sure he has already started plotting.” 

Academy Manager, Chris Ganner added: “With the hard work Taelor has put in on and off the pitch since joining the Academy as a 15-year-old, I am delighted for him. 

“Taelor has been a part of the first-team setup since Christmas but has kept himself grounded by playing regularly for the Academy, which is a testament to his character.

“He still has a lot of development ahead of him, but he is an exciting prospect who has already shown what he is capable of when tested at a higher level.” 

Congratulations, Taelor!