The latest Birmingham City prodigy, Alfie Smith, has become the youngest player to appear for club U18s from Jude Bellingham when he made his debut against Ipswich Town at only 14 years old on weekends.
The news of the adolescent’s appearance was given an “ boost ” by the star of Real Madrid and England Bellingham who liked the post of his old club on Instagram.
Smith, who was only 14 years old in December, is a regular at his age, but who trained with older groups. He is from Sheldon in Birmingham and frequented Priory school in Edgbaston, where his favorite subject, not surprising, is PE.
He started as an attacker and still likes a front race when he is authorized but also represented his county as central half.
His competent leg game obviously helped him to progress in a modern goalkeeper and, although he was an admirer of the former goalkeeper of Arsenal and England David Seaman, he sharpens his skills by studying another model, the former Watford and Wrexham Ben Foster.
Smith is the last of a long line of talents to leave the conveyor belt of the Academy in Birmingham which, under their new American property, led by the financier Tom Wagner and the American football star Tom Brady, are determined to constitute a young team which can bring the club in the Premier League.
Alfie Smith (Photo) made his debut for Birmingham under the age of 18 at the age of only 14 on weekends
Smith has become the youngest player to present for those under 18 from Jude Bellingham, who is now playing for Real Madrid after having been pierced in Birmingham
Smith was also involved in youth level camps in England when he continues his rapid ascent
It is under associated forms, but must sign a scholarship agreement this summer and the leaders of Ligue 1, Birmingham, wishes to link its long -term future as soon as possible with the interest of the contenders who are starting to grow.
He had been on the bench for previous matches for the U18s, but made his first departure on Saturday in the 4-3 victory against Ipswich Town.
Martyn OLORENSHAW, Birmingham U18 head coach, told the club website: “He was very composed. He managed very well, which I knew he would do it. For a less than 14 years that comes into play in a U18 game is a large section, especially in this position. I am delighted that he made his first beginnings in Scholar. I am sure there will be many other appearances to come.
The young person is considered an anchored personality, with a solid ethics of work with coaches attributing his father Jim, while the coach of Birmingham, the coach of the Academy, Dan Tumelty-Bevan, also had a great influence.
Its rapid progress has already alerted the best clubs that have followed its development through the camps of England and the junior ranks of Birmingham. However, Smith is understood that Bellingham is the road up as proof that he could follow a similar career path with the recognition of England his long -term objective.
Birmingham is prepared for the attention of more placed admirers in summer, but hope that their ambitious plans and their potential path to football of the first team will be sufficient to convince Smith that his immediate future is located in St Andrews.