Teenage midfielder Jonte Smith has moved a step closer to fulfilling his ambition of becoming a professional footballer after being snapped up by Crawley Town.The 17-year-old, son of cricketer Clay Smith, has penned a one-year development deal with the English League Two club where he will learn his trade playing for their academy and reserves.Smith’s more than aware he’s only on the first rung of the football ladder, but is determined to make the most of his opportunity and hopes to eventually earn a pro deal at the West Sussex side.He spent last season getting accustomed with the muck and nettles of the English game at non-league Sutton United, where his goalscoring exploits fell under Crawley’s radar who offered him a trial. The ex-North Village youth player had previously been training with Stoke City, Nottingham Forest and Burton Albion’s youth sides.“I’d been doing well at Sutton United last season, scoring goals for their youth team, and Crawley were notified that I was interested in joining a pro club,” said the Bermuda Under-17 international.“I did pretty well in a couple of trial matches and was offered a one-year deal to play for their academy and reserves this season. It’s a full-time contract and I’ll be training from Monday to Friday, although I’ll still be able to continue with my studies. Next year, hopefully, I’ll be able to go pro.”Leaving behind family and friends in Bermuda hasn’t been easy for Smith, but when he makes his academy debut against Millwall’s youth team this weekend those sacrifices would have all been worth it.“It’s been a big change moving to England,” Smith admitted. “I have lots of family and friends in Bermuda and it’s been difficult leaving them, but these are things you have to do when you’re chasing your dreams.“The game’s very different over here; it’s quicker and the players are more physical. Unless you’re looking to turn professional then you don’t play for a team like this. The players take it very seriously and put in the extra work.“I’ve seen a lot of them asking the coach for extra one-on-one sessions to help them get to the next level, and I plan to do the same thing.”Sporting prowess runs in the Smith DNA: his father captained Bermuda’s national cricket team and played football for North Village, while his uncle Wendell Smith was also a top cricketer who graced the international stage.The latest product from the Smith family sporting conveyor belt is happy to continue the family tradition, and said he had no hesitation in turning to his father for advice.“My dad’s been helping me a lot with my football development,” he said. “He’s stressed to me that a good attitude and hard work is everything.”Smith’s move comes just a month after his National Academy team-mate Dale Eve, a 6ft 4in goalkeeper, signed for Stoke on a development contract.Last season saw Crawley earn promotion to the Football League for the first time in their history.n Reggie Lambe is continuing his tour of the UK’s lower league clubs, with the 20-year-old now on trial at Conference side Cambridge United. Since being released by Championship side Ipswich Town, Lambe has spent time at Bristol Rovers, Newport County, Southend and Gillingham.