Man City academy players Codie Thomas and Lily Murphy sign first-ever professional contracts with the club

Manchester City's academy players Codie Thomas and Lily Murphy have signed their first-ever professional contracts with the club.

Lily Murphy has signed her first professional contract with Manchester City, making her a permanent striker within the squad.

Codie Thomas has also decided to start her professional footballing journey with the Sky Blues, promising her commitment to City's defensive line.

These two young talents look to be trusted upon by the club to become regular names in the starting team and Gareth Taylor's matchday squads.

Lily Murphy shares advice given by Chloe Kelly

"I'm quite fast and direct. I like to be on the attack and cause problems for the opposition, but I think my finishing and decision-making in the final third (what's she's improved in)."

"For example, Chloe (Kelly) has really helped me with that. She's obviously gone through it herself, so she knows what it's like."

"Just to try and get some minutes when I can (her aims). And when I'm on the pitch, to help my team out, be positive, I want and go towards goal if I can."

Codie Thomas reflects on debut against St Polten in the Champions League

"When I was walking out of the tunnel I thought the nerves might get the better of me but once I was fine and couldn't stop smiling when I was playing."

"I kept catching myself taking it in and looking around, it was brilliant," Thomas then revealed when she found out that she was going to start for City, "the day before we went away. I was walking into analysis and Gareth (Taylor) pulled me aside to say 'You're starting tomorrow' and I couldn't stop smiling."

"It was brilliant. It's an honour starting in the City shirt for the senior team."

"They've been brilliant (Jess Park and Khiara Keeting), any time I've needed advice or encouragement, they've always been there pushing me on, trying new things, stepping out of my comfort zone. They're doing what I want to be doing, being the starting XI, playing in important games, it's something I aspire to do."