Gillingham Football Club have offered professional contracts to five second-year scholars.

Defenders Finn O’Mara and Aaron Simpson, midfielders Ben Chapman and Brad Stevenson, and striker Noel Mbo will turn professional with the club in July.

Attacking midfielder Stevenson (18) has already made his first-team debut for the Gills, having been a substitute in August’s Checkatrade Trophy match against Luton Town.

Simpson (17) has captained the under-18s throughout the season; he and Mbo (who turns 18 today) were on the bench for February’s away game against Swindon Town. Central midfielder Chapman and right-back O’Mara (both 18 years old) have also been named among the Gills’ substitutes in competitive fixtures this season.

Gills head coach Ady Pennock said: “I wish them every success in the future. They’re all eager to learn and I believe they are all capable of going on to claim a place in our starting XI before too long.”

Goalkeeper Will Sykes and midfielder Sam Lawford will leave the club at the end of the season.