Scouts from Championship side Leeds United recently offered 14-year-old centre back Roman Khela a trial for the club after seeing him play at our one day event in Sheffield back in February.

Roman’s mother Rebecca told us: “He’s been to several UK Football Trials events before, last year and was scouted then as well. He has enjoyed having trials with different coaches. 

At the most recent trial, Leeds came up to him right away and asked him to play at centre-back. They watched him play three or four days after the UK Football Trials event and called me a week later and invited him into the u14’s. He’s spent several weeks there training and has played in a few games.”

Whilst at Leeds, Roman has been impressive and loved every minute of it, getting to experience opportunities new to him. His mother Rebecca revealed: “He’s been really enjoying it and is really excited, but a bit nervous at the same time. He had the opportunity to train at St Georges Park and it was absolutely incredible, it was immaculate.

“There was also a tournament that he played in recently and featured in games against Everton and Bristol Rovers.”

As well as the opportunities on the pitch, Roman has also enjoyed what Leeds have on offer off the pitch too, stating: “The facilities at Leeds United are also very impressive – the academy, the gym are all brilliant.”

Rebecca believes that Roman’s current situation with Leeds United would not have been possible without the help of UK Football Trials telling us: “Coming to several trials did help him because every time he gets feedback from another coach and they give their opinion on where he needs to improve, and he gets to experience different coaches and different drills.”

UK Football Trials are extremely happy to have played a part in placing Roman into Leeds United and hope that he can continue to impress and sign for the team in the future.