Kristian Shevchenko, whose father is Ballon d’Or recipient and Ukraine great Andriy Shevchenko, has completed a move to seventh-tier side Sholing FC.
The 19-year-old has joined the Boatmen permanently after spending time in the youth systems of Chelsea, Tottenham and Watford.
His latest spell was with Championship outfit Watford, where he represented the under-21 team before being released in May.
Sholing, based in Southampton, have several prominent footballers supporting the club’s development, including Premier League players Levi Colwill and Matt Targett.
Chelsea and England defender Colwill serves as an associate director and community ambassador, while Hull City player Targett’s younger brother Brad represents the Southern League Premier Division South side.
Manager Paul Doswell explained that the transfer resulted from a recent shift in the club’s recruitment approach.
He said the opportunity emerged through members of the coaching team and their connections within academy football.
Doswell added that the club spoke with Kristian the previous week and that the youngster was eager to embrace its development model, compete for a first-team place and advance his career.
He said Sholing now intend to recruit talented young players released by professional clubs and offer them an opportunity to gain experience in non-league football.
The club hopes to help those players improve before supporting their return to the professional game.
Former Ukraine forward Andriy represented AC Milan, Chelsea and Dynamo Kyiv during his playing career before retiring in 2012.
He lifted the Champions League trophy with Milan in 2003 and received the Ballon d’Or the following year.
What do you feel about this post?
Like
Love
Happy
Haha
Sad
