Mickaël Nadé has signed his first professional contract with Saint-Etienne, the club announced on Wednesday afternoon.
The centre-back has penned a three-year deal with Les Verts after being promoted to the first-team towards the end of last season.
Nadé has been with the club since he was 15 and has represented ASSE at under-17, under-19 and CFA2 levels.
The 18-year-old played 17 matches for the youth sides last year - 10 for the U19s and seven with the reserves.
Nadé was also called up to the first-team squad on three occasions last term and started in the 3-1 defeat away to Nancy on the final day.
Staying until 2020
Mickaël Nadé was one of six academy graduates to appear for Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1 last season alongside; Anthony Maisonnial, Habib Maiga, Kenny Rocha Santos, Arnaud Nordin and Lamine Ghezali.
The Frenchman is one of the club’s most promising young players and was linked with moves abroad with his previous contract expiring in June.
However, with a new deal that will see Nadé stay at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard until 2020, new manager Oscar Garcia will have the youngster at his disposal for the 2017/18 campaign.
The Spaniard started Nadé in his first pre-season friendly of the summer against Nyon on Wednesday.
Likened to Zouma, inspired by Perrin
Nadé has been likened to former Sainté central defender Kurt Zouma and is said to have been inspired by club captain Loic Perrin.
He told Saint-Etienne’s official website that he “has to be inspired” by Perrin, who is “an example to all”.
Nadé said it is “a real pleasure to sign a professional contract” with the French outfit but understands this is “only one step” in his career.
“It’s up to me to seize my chance” he continued after explaining that “practicing with the first-team requires maximum intensity and concentration".
Roland Romeyer, President of Saint-Etienne, stated: “He knows that if he performs well on the field, he can follow the same route as Josuha Guilavogui, Kurt Zouma or Faouzi Ghoulam.”
The Parisian will hope to make a greater impression on the first-team - starting with the remaining pre-season friendlies against AC Ajaccio and Real Sociedad.