A TALENTED young goalkeeper has been selected to represent England in a European tournament.

Danny Cornell, 10, who plays for Virginia Water Colts Football Club, has been chosen along with 14 other players from the area to form a team that will compete at a tournament in Finland.

Over 80 teams from across Europe will contest the Alandia Cup. The English team has been selected and coached by the Steve Beeks Soccer School and players have been drawn from Surrey, Hampshire and West London.

A team is taken out to the competition every year and they have often enjoyed success. Past team members have gone on to play for England schoolboys and professional clubs.

The U11 team train in Staines and has begun an intensive period of preparation after Easter leading to the competition in June.

Steve Beeks said: "We have had considerable success in the competition in past years and I believe the current group of lads have a good chance of bringing the cup home to England.

"More important however is that the boys enjoy this special experience of competing in Europe and prove good ambassadors for their country." Cornell is no stranger to his talents being recognised. He is already playing above his age group at club level and has been training at Keeps Goalkeeping Academy, which was set up by former Crystal Palace and Brentford stopper Les Cleevely.

Most recently he has been invited to take part in three weeks of intensive training at Ajax Amsterdam Football Club.

Contact Bob Cornell on 07903 639584 or atm bob@carus-consultants.co.uk for the opportunity to sponsor the team when they travel to Finland.