Young Greek Striker Scores 2 on Man City Debut
Premier League giants Manchester City are monitoring Greek hotshot Alex Laliotis, after he spent two weeks training and playing at their state-of-the-art academy.
Scouts from the club were present at our 5 Day Training and Trials Camp in April this year and were impressed with Alex’s goal scoring performance when playing against people up to six years his senior.
They were one of several Premier League clubs to make contact with Alex’s family and quickly offered the invitation to spend time at the academy on his next visit to England.
In July, Alex returned to the UK and attended another UK Football Trial in Manchester, before heading over to the City complex that evening for the opportunity of a lifetime.
What followed was two weeks of training and playing alongside some of the best 9-year-old’s in the world.
“It was incredible,” said Alex’s Mum, Imogen, “The facilities at Man City are amazing, it’s like you’re in a little football planet – a different world.
“The whole club gave us a great feeling, he was able to learn and enjoy himself in a fun and professional environment.
“To be honest the training was like something we’d never seen before, it was on another level and like his whole football career has been building up to this.”
Imogen added: “I was amazed at how well he adapted, the moment he walked in it was as if he does it every day.
“He was just so happy, and overall he loved it and hopefully he will be back soon.”
The training with Man City represents the first professional chance that Alex has ever had, spending most of his life so far playing for his local team in Greece.
A Man City coach who spent time with Alex at our camp said about the youngster: “I was very impressed with him at the camp – he is a big character and made his mark amongst the older boys.
“Technically he is very good and he did well when he came in with us, getting a couple of goals in the match he played too.”
The club will now make a decision on whether to invite Alex back in the future, and UK Football Trials would like to wish him luck with his football.