Colchester United

Roast, a centre half, has been the youth team captain this season, while Nwachuku has been banging in the goals as a forward for the U's U18s.

Both have made appearances for the U21s, who they'll be training with on a full time basis next season.

Youth boss Tony Humes praised both as he revealed the news.

"They both deserve great credit and they fully deserve this opportunity to progress to the development squad." 

On his defender and skipper, Tony said: "Billy has been converted to centre half from a central midfielder - we feel he has all the attributes to succeed there with the blend of his physicality and his ability with the ball at his feet. 

"He is still naïve in some of his decision making but he has coaches who played top level football at centre half so he should be able to improve that. 

"He has knuckled down and deserves the chance to take the next step – we feel he could be a great long term prospect for the club."

Moving onto Nwachuku, Humes explained: "Nnamdi is the type of player who can get people’s bums off their seat. He has got terrific feet and wants to take on opponents all the time. 

"He possesses real individual talent and could potentially do very well in the game. He still has a lot to learn about his positioning and tactical awareness and his finishing is improving all the time."

"Like Billy, he deserves this opportunity to progress and I wish the pair of them good luck for the future."