17-year-old winger Adelino Jorigi has been training with Reading’s Development Squad following a successful UK Football Trial event in February.

Adelino, or “Adi” as he is known, attended our trial in December last year, however he wasn’t scouted at the time.

Just six weeks later he returned to our event in West London and on this occasion several clubs requested his details.

Despite receiving the offer of a contract from a semi-pro club, Adi held out and his patience was soon rewarded when a scout from Reading Football Club offered the wide-man a trial with their u18’s side.

“I went in and trained with the under-18’s yesterday (Monday 13th March),” Adi explained.

“I enjoyed it a lot, the facilities are banging, I’ve never experienced anything like it before – the grass was flush, everything was really professional.”

He added: “The level was obviously really good but we’re all human, I don’t think there’s anything they can do that I can’t – the main difference was their physical fitness.

“These boys have been training every day for their whole lives and obviously I haven’t so I was off the pace compared to them, but that will come with time and more training.”

This isn’t the first time Adi has come close to making it as a pro - in 2014 he had a trial with Tottenham Hotspur, which ultimately ended in disappointment.

Adi said: “Back then I was only 14 and I wasn’t really focussed, I didn’t know what I wanted then but now I know I want to be a pro. I do wish I tried a bit harder but hopefully I can make up for it now.”

Strangely, despite getting scouted at the second attempt with UK Football Trials, Adi revealed he thought he actually performed better at the first trial, but puts it down to being at the “right place at the right time.”

He said: “I think I did better at the first trial, I actually got better feedback from the coaches the first time round but I think luck was on my side this time – you need to be seen by the right people in the right place at the right time.”

Adi added: “You cant give up just because you get one knock-back, I would recommend UK Football Trials to anyone – my friends are coming to the next set in April too.

“The more trials you go to the more chance you have of getting scouted, you’re not going to get seen sat at home.”

Adi will continue training with Reading’s Development Side for the near future and is set to feature in the squad for a match against Woking this weekend.