Paris Saint-Germain have permanently promoted two of their best youth academy graduates to the senior squad after impressive preseasons.
Jonathan Ikone and Lorenzo Callegari have both been handed official squad numbers by the French champions, denoting a change in status, with the former taking the No. 36 shirt and the latter No. 41.
Both players have caught new coach Unai Emery's eye and featured heavily during PSG's International Champions Cup campaign in the USA.
Emery admitted ahead of the 3-1 defeat away at AS Monaco last weekend that the youngsters from the youth academy have really made an impression on him.
"I work every day with a lot of motivation, with great players," he said. "I have also been surprised by the youth academy players. There's a lot of quality. PSG wants to prepare for the future with these youngsters, but also through the new training centre. The past is very important for PSG, but the future is too."
Ikone, an 18-year-old versatile attacker from nearby Bondy, committed his future to PSG in June when he signed his first professional contract. Callegari, an 18-year-old midfielder from Meudon, followed suit in July along with highly rated right-back Alec Georgen.
PSG are trying to utilise more of their homegrown talent after losing Kingsley Coman to Juventus back in 2014; Ikone and Callegari are two of the brightest young players currently at the club.
