There will be a great deal of pride and no little satisfaction among staff and students of Southgate College after one of its pupils, Joe Devera, signed a full-time playing contract with the Coca-Cola League Division Two side Barnet.
Devera, 19, from New Southgate, studied construction for three years at the college. An attacking right-sided defender, Devera last week signed a two-year professional deal with the Bees. He will compete with club captain Ian Hendon, 34, formerly of Sheffield Wednesday, for the right-back spot.
Devera was captain of Barnet's U19 side last season and impressed the Barnet manager Paul Fairclough with his composure on the ball, strength and ability to get forward.
Southgate College has a successful football academy run by Protec. Devera is the latest of several Protec graduates to have gone on to play professional football.
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