Burnley take 16-year-old Defender on Week Long Trial
Premier League side Burnley FC have taken full-back Nathan Wood on trial for one week.
Nathan Wood, 16, started a weeklong trial with Burnley Football Club on Monday, 3rd July and will spend the next few days training and playing with the other scholars at the club’s training ground.
The promising young defender, who can play at either left or right back, will be hoping to make the most of this incredible opportunity after an unfortunate break in his foot scuppered his chances of signing while on trial with Wigan Athletic four years ago.
“I’m buzzing, I’ve never had anything like this before and to train with a Premier League club is great,” Nathan revealed.
“My first day at Burnley was really good, all of the facilities are amazing and the team mates and managers treated me really well, I was made to feel very welcome.”
He added: “We played a few little football games indoors and I got to know everyone, it was a bit of an introduction really.
“But later in the week we are going to be doing some more work on fitness and working with the ball as well. I’ve enjoyed it so far and looking forward to the rest of the week.”
Since his trial with Wigan several years ago, Nathan has had little in the way of pro club experience, focusing mainly on selection for his county side and attending as many trials as possible to get his break.
In April this year, Nathan was one of the players who was scouted from our 5 Day Training and Trials camp, when AFC Wimbledon requested his details after he put in a fine performance in the trial match in front of pro and semi pro club scouts.
Nathan displayed his ability to play with both feet and on either side of the back four, and really caught the eye with an impressive move down the right hand side involving a neat one-two and a tidy finish from the 16-year-old.
Kay, Nathan’s mum, described his trial with Burnley as “the biggest opportunity of his life.”
“It means so much to him and is a reward for his hard work,” said Kay.
“He got unlucky with two bad breaks in his foot and ankle in consecutive years which stalled his progress, but he works tirelessly and he’s got the reward at last, this is the biggest opportunity of his life now.”
She added: “He trains four or five times a week and is out training every day doing strength and conditioning, working with weights and boxing as well to get some fitness for football.”
Despite his impressive performance at the camp, Nathan’s latest opportunity actually came when he was recommended to a Burnley scout - who has attended our trials this year – by his club.
We would like to wish Nathan well for the rest of his trial with Burnley and will bring you updates on his progress over the coming weeks.