BARBADOS SOCCER ACADEMY (BSA) STRIKER Akil Alleyne has signed a contract with English semi-professional football club, Chichester City. The 20-year-old former Barbados Community College star forward has agreed personal terms and will receive an undisclosed monthly salary from the West Sussex club which plays in the Isthmian League.It comes after Alleyne spent two years at the London Stadium with English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur in their Under-19 education and development football academy programme.“Over the summer I was invited down by one of the first team coaches, Mr Potter, to train with the Under-23 team first so they could have a look at me in terms of skills, knowledge and awareness of the game and after my first training session, they pulled me one side and said they would like to sign me. “I’ve spent the last three weeks training with the Under-23 squad in preparation for my upcoming debut which, hopefully, will be very soon,” Alleyne said .The Barbados Soccer Academy (BSA) and former Lester Vaughan School player., who has dual citizenship, becomes the second Barbadian footballer to secure a major football contract within the last two months.In August 18-year-old Thierry Gale signed with Hungarian Premier League side Budapest Honved FC on a three-year deal, keeping him at the club until 2023.Since then, Barbadian junior national footballers continue to be sought after overseas. The BSA has secured 35 soccer and academic scholarships to NCAA Division 1 and 2 universities in the USA. Jabez Bovell Director of the BSA said a further number of players are expected to take up scholarships next year. The Covid 19 pandemic in the USA has prevented a couple players from accepting offers this year.Alleyne further said that Over the summer I was invited down by one of the first team coaches, Mr Potter, to train with the Under-23 team first so they could have a look at me in terms of skills, knowledge and awareness of the game and after my first training session, they pulled me one side and said they would like to sign me. “I’ve spent the last three weeks training with the Under-23 squad in preparation for my upcoming debut which, hopefully, will be very soon,”
Alleyne told NATIONSPORT during a telephone interview from the United Kingdom The Barbados Soccer Academy (BSA) player was transferred from BSA over the last two weeks. Alleyne said “It is a very happy moment for me and my family to join the club and I’m excited to see what the future holds. It is a club with a very solid and supportive coaching staff and one with huge ambition,” Alleyne said.Previous coaches“Due to the pandemic, I had more time than usual over the summer period to put in a lot work with some of my previous coaches from Lester Vaughan, Technique FC and BSA such as Alwyn Babb, Adrian Mapp, Albert Mapp, Shawn Grandson, Rondell Griffith and Jabez Bovell.‘“They helped prepare me physically, technically and mentally to ensure I was in the best possible shape I could be and that, along with having a solid group of positive friends around me, helped me to get where I am,” he said.Alleyne also outlined his plans for the sport in the future once he remains injury free.“My hope is to keep progressing and improving my game in all aspects, give my best in every match I play and, hopefully, solidify a place in the first team starting line-up. Playing football in England at semi-professional or professional level is by no means easy, but I’m confident that once I continue to work hard and trust in God, then I’ll progress.“Of course, I think that’s every young footballer’s dream is to play in the Premier League. I’ve got a very long road ahead of me to get there, but I’m happy with my progress so far and I have no doubt that once I keep doing the right things, stay focused and keep grafting, I’ll get there,” Alleyne said.
