Do you remember what you were doing when you were 17?

Chances are you were still in school and living with your parents, sheltered from the responsibilities of real life.

Doneil Henry doesn't have that luxury. As of Thursday, he has a fulltime job, one that puts him squarely in the public forum where all of his triumphs and mistakes will be scrutinized from here on in.

The 17-year-old native of Brampton, Ont., has signed his first professional contract with Toronto FC, becoming the first homegrown player from the club's youth academy system to graduate to the senior team.

Financial terms of the contract were not disclosed, but the deal is for two years, with a club option for an additional two years.

No cuts needed

Henry will not count against the league's salary cap, nor will he count against the club's 24-man roster — he will fill one of two spots available to academy players under MLS rules, which means nobody will have to be cut from the team to make room for him.

Henry described his ascension to the pro ranks of MLS from the team's youth system as a dream come true, but promised that the best is yet to come.

"I'm still young and I want to push to make it into the first team and step in when I'm called upon," the defender said.

Henry heralded TFC's youth academy as the best soccer-based program in Canada, saying its daily rigors were instrumental in his development as a player.

"It's helped me because of the competitive training day to day, and that built my performance," Henry said. "Every day, we [train hard] with the ambition of making it into the first team."

It's been a long journey for Henry, the son of Jamaican immigrants who came to Canada several decades ago.

Coaches impressed

He joined TFC's youth program in late 2008, working his way up to the senior academy team from the junior side. Coaches were so impressed with his progress that he has trained with the full senior team for more than a month.

Henry has already made three appearances for Toronto FC: against the Vancouver Whitecaps in the Canadian club championship, an exhibition match against England's Bolton Wanderers and a CONCACAF Champions league qualifying game against Honduran outfit Deportivo Motagua.

Toronto general manager Mo Johnston said he expects Henry to compete for a spot in the club's starting roster right away, and could make his MLS debut Saturday when the Reds host defending league champions Real Salt Lake.

"Doneil will grow within our system. This is the next step. There are no baby steps, this is the next step to being a pro and he's ready. … Hopefully he can come right in and help our team," Johnston said.

Earl Cochrane, the director of Toronto FC's youth academy, claimed that Henry is wise and mature beyond his 17 years. Cochrane also pointed out that because the youth academy team competes in the semi-professional Canadian Soccer League, Henry also has some experience under his belt.

'Playing against men'

"Our academy players are playing against men. They are playing against some guys who have played professionally in Eastern Europe," Cochrane said. "So Henry has been challenged. He's gone up against talented and experienced professionals and he's dealt with that challenge."

If all goes well, Henry will be the first of many youth academy products that TFC signs to professional contracts. Johnston said the youth academy, which was launched in April 2008, is an important part of the club's long-term future.

"It's important and vital that we keep bringing the kids through, that we keep our scouting system out there," Johnston said.