Wirral schoolboy gets signed by Stoke City

Nov 28 2012 by Linda Foo Guest, Wallasey News

A TALENTED schoolboy from Wirral has been signed by a Premier League football club.

Brandon Rigg, 13, from Leasowe, was signed by Stoke City FC Academy at the beginning of the season.

He was scouted while playing for local team, FC Spartans, a junior football club based in Birkenhead.

Brandon, a Year 8 Mosslands student, said: “I was approached by Stoke during training at FC Spartans. I really enjoy football and it has always been my dream to become a professional footballer.

“I am excited to have been given the chance to kick-start a career in the sport I love at such a young age, and of course I have my parents to thank for taking me to my regular training sessions.”

Mosslands has allowed Brandon to be absent from school two afternoons a week to train at the club in Stoke-on-Trent. He also trains on Saturday and plays on Sunday.

During his busy schedule, he fits in extra tutoring and homework from the missed lessons.

Paul Brett, head of physical education at Mosslands, added: “Brandon is a superb athlete for his age, he is an outstanding footballer but he is also excellent at rugby, basketball, hockey and cricket.

“In athletics he is the fastest in his year over all distances. He has a mature attitude and he is working hard to develop his leadership skills. I would like to wish him the best of luck for his future, both academically and in a potential sporting career.”

Mosslands 1st XI football team, the current U19 Wirral Champions, have been given a new Nike kit after ex-student, Liverpool midfielder Jay Spearing, donated it through the Football Foundation scheme.