After the trials, Leon was thrilled to be contacted by scouts from Aston Villa, West Bromwich Albion, Cheltenham Town, and Birmingham City. While the distance to Cheltenham was too far to manage, Leon accepted the chance to train with Aston Villa and West Brom. He has been training with Aston Villa's Emerging Talent squad for the past three months, while also taking part in a trial with West Brom. “I’ve been training with Villa’s Emerging Talent squad for the last 3 months,” Leon said, excited about the opportunity. 

Leon’s family has been pleased with his progress, noting how the experience helped him realize that he could compete at a high level. “It was great knowing Leon can hold his own and definitely compete well at academy level,” they shared. The standard of players at the trials was higher than expected, with Leon describing them as “good technically, physical, athletic, and tall,” which pushed him to improve further. 

West Brom gave some insightful feedback after Leon’s trial, particularly praising his technical skills and finishing ability. “Technically and finishing-wise, Leon is at the level they like,” the scouts noted. However, they also highlighted areas for improvement, such as his off-the-ball defending and physical robustness. “They wouldn’t be surprised to see him end up at another academy,” Leon’s family mentioned, a comment that further motivated Leon to keep working hard. 

Leon came to UK Football Trials because he saw it as a unique chance to showcase his skills in front of multiple scouts, an opportunity he embraced. “It’s a great opportunity to showcase skills in front of scouts,” Leon shared, excited by the exposure. When asked if they would recommend UK Football Trials to other players, Leon and his family didn’t hesitate, saying, “Yes, it’s great!” 

As Leon continues to develop his skills, UK Football Trials is proud to have been part of his journey. We congratulate Leon on his success so far and wish him all the best as he takes the next steps in his football career. We’ll be following his progress and cheering him on as he continues to grow as a player.