Ethan – 14 Years Old – Goalkeeper | Preston North End & Everton Interest 

At 14 years old, Ethan is already making impressive strides in his football journey, proving that there is no single path to progression in the modern game. A goalkeeper currently training at Preston North End’s Goalkeeper Development Centre, with Everton also monitoring his performances, Ethan’s story highlights rapid development, patience, and the value of seizing opportunities when they arise. 

Unlike many players who begin at an early age, Ethan came to football slightly later, starting around the Under-12 age group. Despite this, his progress has been swift. He quickly established himself at a high level, playing in the Junior Premier League, featuring in showcase games against Category 1 academies, and attending a talent ID event at Burnley. These experiences helped him understand the demands of elite football and accelerated his growth as a goalkeeper. 

Following his attendance at UK Football Trials, interest came quickly. “Preston reached out straight away to invite me to attend their GK development centre,” Ethan explained. Since then, he has been training with Preston for four weeks, working closely with academy coaches in a structured, professional environment. 

The Preston GK Development Centre assesses goalkeepers over a longer period rather than a single session. Each week focuses on different aspects of goalkeeping, allowing coaches to build a detailed picture of performance and potential. Ethan recently received his first feedback review, which outlined how he is performing compared to the standards expected of an academy goalkeeper, highlighting both strengths and areas for development. This insight has been invaluable in helping him understand where he stands and what he needs to improve. 

At the same time, Everton have also shown interest. “Everton got in touch as they wanted to come and watch me play for my current teams,” Ethan said. They have already attended one match, despite challenging snowy conditions, and are planning to watch another. Having multiple clubs assess him in different ways has been a learning experience in itself. 

Reflecting on what he has learned through the process, Ethan shared an important insight: “There is no set way to progress as every club will assess you differently. Some will invite you to a trial, others may want to see you play for your club first. Even if you impress, not every club may be looking for your position at that time, so you have to keep showcasing.” It’s a mature understanding for a young player and one that will serve him well as he continues his journey. 

One of the standout moments from the UK Football Trials experience came during the game at the end of the day. “This is the only trial where I’ve showcased in a full game situation on a full-sized pitch with full-sized goals,” Ethan said. “That helped me show my range of skills.” For a goalkeeper, this environment is crucial, allowing distribution, positioning, shot-stopping, and decision-making to be seen in realistic match conditions. 

Ethan chose to attend the trials to test himself and gain exposure. “I wanted an opportunity to showcase and to test myself against others,” he explained. The experience delivered exactly that. “Absolutely, I would recommend it. The day was fun, structured, and had lots of opportunities to show what I could do.” 

Currently, Ethan remains in the process with both Preston North End and Everton, continuing to train, play, and develop. His journey so far is a powerful reminder that starting later doesn’t limit potential—and that with commitment, openness to learning, and the right opportunities, rapid progress is possible.