Max Kilsby, an 18-year-old defender, has been handed a first-year professional contract with Carlisle United.
But fellow second-years Josh Barnett, Dylan Garvey, DJ Taylor and Charlie Watt have been released on completion of their respective scholarships.
Kilsby has joined Gabe Breeze, Jack Ellis, Sam Fishburn and Scott Simons in the pro ranks at the end of his successful two-year scholarship spell.
After joining the academy as an under-15 Kilsby has been used on the left-hand side of the defence in the youth sides, and in a series of reserve games.
Manager Paul Simpson said: “I said the other day that it’s always tough when talking to scholars who haven’t made it through, because you know how hard they’ve all worked and how much they want that to carry on.
“It isn’t a nice side of the job, but they leave with our best wishes. The academy staff have spoken to them, and they know there is support here at the club if they need it going forward.
“With Max, he’s impressed me when I’ve seen him and, having spoken at length with the academy coaching staff, we feel there’s potential for a player we can work with.
“I know it gets said a lot when these offers are made, but the hard work for all five of them starts now. Some of them have been around the first-team environment and have made their debuts, and they need to push for more of the same.
“It is good for the club that five of the current crop of second years have made it through. All five are there on merit, and now it’s up to them to continue to strive to develop and improve, and for us to give them an environment within which they can do that.”
Youth boss Mark Birch said: “It’s the best and worst day of the year every year and it’s one of those things you can’t take lightly.
“You don’t sleep well until it’s done because it’s always on your mind, and you know you’re breaking dreams for some of these lads.
“They’re only young lads at the end of the day with dreams of being a footballer. When you speak to some of them they still have aspirations, and some of them realise it isn’t for them.”
Talking on the merits of Kilsby, Birch said: “He can play at left back or centre back. He’s got a good left foot, which is his strength, he’s a good defender and he doesn’t get flustered.
“I think it’s good at his age to have a couple of positions he can play in because he can give options to a team.
“He’ll end up sticking to a position later in his career, but I think it’s important for him to be able to play in a couple of positions now.”
And the five from this season’s batch join Lewis Bell, Taylor Charters and Josh Dixon as graduates in the current squad who have made it through the club’s system and into the first-team environment.
