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19-year old Indian sensation Brandon Fernandes has received a two-week trial at English Premier League side Reading FC, and is said to have been on the radar of several EPL clubs after he impressed scouts with his skills four years ago in the Manchester United Soccer Skills competition. He completed his medical for the Premier League club yesterday, and will get to know a few days later if he will get an opportunity to train with them.
The youngster has already participated for India in every junior age group. He is the son of Jaju Fernandes, a former executive committee member of the Goa Football Association, who is quite excited about his son’s chances. He recently mentioned that he once had a dream about his son taking part in the highest level of European football, and now that it is coming true, he is not bothered about the result of the trial.
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In the age of sixteen, Brandon left for Cape Town, South Africa to join ASD, where he improved his skills under the appropriate guidance of technical director Douglas Williams. Brandon has further benefited from the pastoral involvement of ASD’s partner charity ‘Hope Academy’, who have guided Fernandes in the necessary skills required to make a successful transition into the professional game.
It has created quite a buzz in football circles in South Asia, and the one most excited remains ASD director Mike Steptoe, who, two years ago, was criticised for scouting for talents in cricket-crazy India.
As far as the performance of Reading FC is concerned, it has to be said that Brian McDermott’s side could be going down this year once again, having won none of their six matches so far after being promoted to the Barclays Premier League.
ASD Director Mike Steptoe said on Monday that he has no doubts about Brandon’s ability to have an impact in the European top leagues. He added that the youngster is paving the way for other Indian footballers, and is putting Indian soccer rightfully on the world sporting map.
