Arsenal London: Four-year-old is accepted into the youth program

England
Still going to kindergarten: Arsenal London signs four-year-olds as young footballers

His parents say that little Zayn was different from the other children when he was born: “The midwife put him on his stomach and he immediately lifted his head and looked around – even she was shocked,” said his father in an interview with the BBC. “He was obviously very strong from a very young age.” Perfect for a career in sports – and Zayn Ali Salman hit it early on.

As soon as he was on his feet, little Zayn wanted to play soccer. And he did it so well that he was soon allowed to play football in a British talent factory for children. The coach there, who observes very talented young footballers every day, immediately recognized that the then four-year-old was something special. He said he was faster and more determined than the other children, and his shots were much more precise. So he finally let Zayn train with the older children, so the four-year-old competed against eight- and nine-year-olds.

A talent scout saw little Zayn play

“It’s a little harder,” says Zayn of the BBC, but beaming from ear to ear. The coach’s permission to play with the big boys had another effect: a talent scout from Arsenal London – Zayn’s favorite team – came to a game to look for young talent for the club’s youth program. Stephen Deans couldn’t believe that Zayn was only four years old. “It can’t be that he’s still going to kindergarten!” He marveled. “This kid does things that you shouldn’t be able to do at that age.” He immediately called his colleagues and spoke to Zayn’s parents.

Now he is the youngest participant in the Arsenal FC children’s support program. And his coach there is very happy with the performance of Zayn, who has just celebrated his fifth birthday. “It wasn’t just a one-off good performance that we saw from him – he consistently plays like that,” he said. A great career for the little Brit is well mapped out!

Source: BBC

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