Premier League dream a step closer for teenager

A MELKSHAM teenager is a step closer to becoming a Premier League footballer after earning a scholarship with Southampton FC. 

Daniel Demkiv, 16, has been with the south-coast club since the age of six and faced an anxious wait to see if he would be retained from the junior sides into the academy under-18 side.

The scholarship means Daniel will now train full-time with the club. Until now, he has been attending Melksham Oak School two days a week and spending the remainder of the week with his teammates training in Southampton.

The club has become renowned for its development of youth players with a recent track record of producing world famous international footballers such as Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Daniel, a right sided midfielder had an injury-plagued season in the under 16s which meant he was limited in his appearances. However, highlights included playing at Craven Cottage to face Fulham and taking on Manchester United’s under-16 side. Despite the injuries he still did enough to impress the Premier League management and earn himself a new deal.

Daniel said, “I’m really happy to be offered the scholarship and now it’s getting serious.  I want to go as far as I can. I want it all and I want to be a Premier League footballer. I would also love to play for Liverpool one day! I recently played at St Georges Park – England’s new training base and that has made me more determined to play for England one day too.

“I’m buzzing for pre-season to start, I just want to get going now. I hope to quickly establish myself in the under 18s and then try and be in and around the squad of the under 21s. If I do that, then hopefully a professional contract won’t be too far away.”

Daniel’s mother, Maria said, “It’s great that the hard work paid off. They kept us waiting to find out if he got in for the scholarship but we never really had any doubts. We know what he can achieve and now it’s about doing our best to ensure he achieves all he can.

“It’s been a long hard journey and it’s been hard on him as all he has known is football. Although in many ways the football club has benefitted him as they don’t allow them to train unless they apply themselves to their school work, so it’s helped all round.”

Southampton under 18s will play in the Barclays under 18 Premier League in the 2013/14 season and also compete in the FA Youth Cup.