A 13-year-old midfielder has been training with Manchester City after he was scouted at our 5 Day Training and Trials Camp.

Theo Nicolae, who was born in Romania, attended our camp in April this year and was scouted by four Premier League clubs, all of whom requested his details.

Stoke City, Crystal Palace and newly promoted Brighton and Hove Albion were all keen to take another look at Theo, who received the coaches player award at the camp.

But it was Manchester City who moved first and Theo has just spent time with the club’s u13’s side, training twice and also playing in a match.

Theo’s Mum, Claudia, said: “After UK Football Trials he got invited to train with Man City at the academy and he was so happy.

“After the first session the coach asked him to play in a game they had coming up a few days later, which must mean he’s doing well.

“But this is on another level to anything he’s done before, the academy is amazing, everything looks professional and the players are at a high level.”

A Lead Academy Coach at Manchester City, who scouted Theo from our camp and has also seen him at the club’s academy, revealed what he liked about the young player and how he’s doing so far.

"Theo did really well on the 5 Day Camp," he said, "He is technically very good and has the physical and mental attributes that we as a club are looking for.

"He did well technically in the first session with us and we were all really excited to see him play in the 11 v 11 game vs the Independent Schools Football Association.”

Although this has been his first taste of pro life in England, Theo has had a lot of experience in football around Europe.

In December last year he had trials for German sides FC 08 Homburg and Wuppertaler SV, and currently plays for Juventus Bucharest’s academy in Romania, who play in the country’s top division – he has also recently made it to the second phase of the National Team Selection for his age group.

It remains to be seen what decision will be made on Theo’s future at Many City, meanwhile the other interested parties - Stoke, Palace and Brighton – have all made contact.

It is possible that Theo may be moving to the UK in the next year to continue his training with a Private Football Academy, and Brighton have indicated that they would like to follow up their interest if he was based in England.

Theo was one of only three players at the camp to be scouted by four clubs or more, and Claudia revealed what her son thought of the whole experience.

“We’re so happy with the way everything has gone,” she said, “To get a chance with a club this size after one football trial.

“For sure we will be back, it all started with UK Football Trials and he wants to come back and book another one already!”