A South African-eligible youngster is now said to have parted ways with one of the Premier League giants.
Premier League juggernauts Liverpool have parted ways with South Africa U17s star Gabriano Shelton, according to reports.
The 16-year-old, who previously captained the Reds' U15 team, is said to be heading to England's second-tier outfit Huddersfield Town after spending seven years in Merseyside.
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BREAKING NEWS!!!After seven memorable years at Liverpool, 16-year-old South African right back Gabriano Shelton has left the English Premier League club to start a new chapter with Huddersfield Town where he looks to fast track his route to first team football.All the best ???? pic.twitter.com/zRgDOJnznu
— Prince Sobayeni Sports???? (@PrinceSobayeni1) June 13, 2024
The young defender is one of the most promising rising talents who could one-day represent Bafana Bafana. In 2022, the full-back revealed that he became more convinced about playing for South Africa when he saw how three England players were treated after they missed penalties during the 2020 UEFA European Championship final against Italy.
"I just want to be given an opportunity to play for South Africa," Shelton told Metro FM.
"I thought I wanted to play for South Africa after I saw how the players who play for England and who were born in the United Kingdom were treated after missing penalties [referring to the racial abuse that was aimed at Jadon Sancho, Bukayo Saka, and Marcus Rashford]."
He would also reveal his favourite PSL club and player, adding: "My favourite South African team is Orlando Pirates and my favourite player is Percy Tau."
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At 10 years old, Shelton was reportedly offered a contract by Burnley to join their academy after he was scouted at a UK Football Trials event in Manchester. The scouting organisation, UK Football Trials, claims that the full-back trained in the Clarets academy before deciding to join Liverpool.
Former Burnley Head of Academy Recruitment Tom Reeves said: "He came in and did well even though he was ill.
"At the trial he caught my eye with his technical ability and good decisions despite being the youngest in the group. Some of his skills were frightening for a boy his age."
Shelton's father Enrico would later thank the scouting organisation before hinting at what would be the boy's next destination, Liverpool.
"UK Football Trials definitely gave Gabriano the confidence and everything finally came together," said Shelton's father.
"We have to say the boys have been fortunate, Burnley in particular deserve a mention for the way they treated us as a family and totally accepted our decision.
"He was very excited to hear that he would be going in to train with the club, the chance to go into a Premier League club was amazing for him."
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