A young goalkeeper is currently undergoing the first pro club trial of his life after he was scouted at our trial in Birmingham.

Austin Parish, who is only 10-years-old, was comfortably the youngest ‘keeper at the trial he attended last month but didn’t let that phase him, with his impressive performance fuelling interest from two clubs and an invitation to train with Derby County.

The young shot-stopper has already trained twice with the club but isn’t getting carried away and hasn’t even told any of his friends, as Mum Michelle explains.

“He is a very humble boy and hasn’t actually spoken to anyone about it yet, in fact I’ve told more people than him,” said Michelle.

She added: “He’s had a couple of sessions with the u11’s and will train twice more before the end of the season when we will get a review, but all the feedback has been positive up to now.”

Unsurprisingly given his tender years, Austin hasn’t had any experience with pro clubs in the past and his trial with Derby last week was the first time he’d stepped foot in a professional academy.

But he is already making an impression at the club and Damian, who scouted him from our trial, revealed exactly what is was that caught drew him to Austin in the first place.

“From the UK Football Trials I could see he’s a very brave ‘keeper and his ability to use his feet well really stood out for me,” Damian explained.

He added: “Austin has had two sessions with us and has shown that he is a very steady ‘keeper.”

Despite the praise from Damian on his ability with the ball at his feet, it is actually one of the areas of his game that Austin isn’t happy with and is looking to improve.

Michelle said: “He tells me that he needs to work on his right foot, being naturally left-footed and as young as he is, he hasn’t really developed that yet.

“But I think that will come with age, as he gets older he will work on that and his voice too, he’s a bit quiet on the pitch at the minute.”

The ability to identify strengths and weaknesses at such a young age is impressive and a testament to the amount of work and practice that Austin puts in every day.

If he’s not training, Austin can often be found playing with his older brother’s u14’s side or watching videos of Gigi Buffon on his phone.

“I’m thrilled for him and he really deserves it,” Michelle explained, “Nearly every day he’s out there training, either getting his dad to kick the ball at him or just by himself kicking against a shed or a wall, whatever he can use.”

Another Championship club also followed up their interest in Austin after seeing him at our trial - which was held at Sutton Coldfield Town FC in April – and look set to scout him again next season and watch him play in matches for his local side.

After the success of his first UK Football Trial, Austin and his mum will be coming back to another trial this month in London, for what she described as a “fantastic opportunity.”

“There were a few interesting drills he picked up from the first one which his dad does with him now,” Michelle said.

“It was a bit daunting at first when we got there and saw all the adults who would be playing as well, but it was fantastic, they helped him feel at ease and it was a great day out for us.

“We initially only booked it for him as an Easter present, instead of an egg, but now we’re really, really glad we did it.”