A City of Bath College student, 17-year-old Jordan Williams, has been selected to play in the Malta Under 19s squad, taking part in an intense month-long training camp.
He is being put through his paces by the national team after he impressed managers playing for Malta’s under 17s squad earlier this year.
Using state-of-the-art facilities in Malta’s capital city Valletta, he is taking part in daily training including football drills, ball skills, gym sessions and fitness testing.
He is also playing in up to three games a week, including at least one friendly against the senior national team.
Jordan is in his second year of the Southampton FC Academy at City of Bath College.
The College works with the Premier League club to give 16 to 19-year-olds the opportunity to combine high quality football development with continued academic study.
The selected students train for eight hours a week while working towards a Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma Sports Performance and Excellence qualification.
Jordan said he was “over the moon” that he was now a step closer to making his dream to become a professional footballer a reality.
He said: “Playing for the Under 19s in Malta will be a great experience.
“It was great to hear they wanted me after the trials, I was so pleased when I received the call-up.
“The conditions will be different because of the weather. I’ll have to adapt quickly though as I really want to push myself.
“It’s going to be tough but I’ve just got to do my best and stay focused.”
All Jordan has ever wanted to do is play football and he started off his football training with Bristol Rovers aged just 11. He also plays golf and tennis.
Jordan has been a regular visitor to Malta this year as in March he trained and played for the Under 17 national team for a week. He played in three games, against Italy and two other Italian senior sides.
Jordan’s late grandfather was Maltese and although he has never lived in Malta, he is still eligible to play for the national team through descent.
Jordan said: “I’d love to get a contract with Southampton, but I’ll see what Malta can offer me as well. I would definitely consider going to Malta to play, I would love to play first team football or in the reserves.
“My ambition is to become a professional footballer. I’m hungry for success so we’ll have to see what happens.”
Southampton FC Academy Course Leader Paul Blekinsopp said it was an amazing opportunity for Jordan to train and play in Malta.
He said: “We’re pleased to let Jordan have this opportunity to be abroad with a national team for a month as we’re confident he can do the training while keeping on top of his college work.
“It’s really good for the Southampton FC programme as it shows the high standards of the players. It proves we are nurturing the football starts of the future.”
