Things are getting serious enough for Brooks Lennon that I think we should have a thread for him. [Couldn't find one, so mods merge if one exists] We'd been talking about him in threads for his brother Riggs. I don't know if either brother has the ability to get a Euro passport............................ http://www.azcentral.com/insiders/o...es-on-international-stage-with-u-s-u-17-team/ Lennon is expected to play with an academy team for Liverpool FC, a traditional power in the English Premier League, in the Milk Cup held in Northern Ireland from July 29-31, ODFC has learned. In April, Lennon had a training stint at English Premier League’s traditional power Liverpool FC, where he started for the U-16 team in a scrimmage against Right to Dream, an academy from Ghana. Lennon has been making waves in international soccer since he was 13. He previously trained with the academies of English Premier League club Aston Villa and Portuguese power Sporting Lisbon and fellow Portuguese club Vitoria Guimaraes; with each club inviting him back for more trials and wanting to sign him.
I feel like there's no way he would be getting all of these opportunities without a Euro passport or at least some Euro connection. I'm probably wrong though.
The article mentioned he had a coach in the US that was from Portugal and used his contacts to set up training with Portuguese clubs. If he doesn't have a Euro passport he has to wait till he's 18 I guess.
His trials in Portugal were facilitated by one of his coaches, Joao Bento and both clubs he trialed for (Sporting and Vitoria) invited him to join their academies. His trial at Aston Villa was set up in part by his father, himself a former pro, who has a contact at Villa. Villa also invited him to join their academy but as he doesn't possess a Euro passport he hasn't been able to act on these opportunities.
His brother Riggs also had a trial at Villa...............right? It would seem to me that Brooks is a prime candidate for Bradenton unless a Euro opportunity can work itself out. And without a Euro passport its going to be tough.
Die KlinsMannschaft@klinsmannschaft16h Brooks Lennon certainly not the first young American forced to decline major offers due to lack of a Euro passport. #stuckinamerica
Yes, but from what I understand Brooks is a higher regarded prospect by some margin. As for Bradenton I'm just not sure how I feel about it being the best option for our guys anymore. Until/unless we get someone down there who really knows what they're doing and has a proven record as a developer of young talent I'd just about prefer our top guys pursue other alternatives.
Report of discussions with Liverpool: http://odfcnews.com/2013/10/19/brooks-lennon-arizona-youth-soccer-star-in-talks-with-liverpool/
Google Translate- "In Picture: Liverpool U-17 Defeat Frenz United Indonesia 3-2 Wednesday, January 8, 2014, 22:33 pm Footballers Liverpool FC U-17, Brooks Lennon (left) dribbles overshadowed two Indonesian footballer in the United Frenz Frenz International Cup Match Prelude 2014 at Stadium Sultan Agung, Bantul, Yogyakarta, Wednesday (8/1) night. (Antara / Sigid Kurniawan) ...Footballers Liverpool FC U-17, Brooks Lennon (left) perform a penalty kick towards the goal keeper Frenz United Indonesia, Andy Firth (right) in a Prelude Frenz International Cup 2014 Match at Stadium Sultan Agung, Bantul, Yogyakarta, Wednesday (8/1)..." http://static.republika.co.id/uploa...u-17-brooks-lennon-kiri-_140108220617-535.jpg Far East joy for young Reds LIVERPOOL Under-17s maintained their 100% record on their tour of the Far East with a 3-2 win over Frenz United Indonesia at the Sultan Agung Stadium... Brooks Lennon fired the Reds in front from the penalty spot and Alaster Redmayne made it 2-0... When Lennon added his second Liverpool appeared to be out of sight but the hosts rallied with goals from Abdul Ali Nahim Arury and Yugan Poobathy reducing the deficit." http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/kop-kids-fa-dash-hopes-6482690 He earns a penalty and puts it away at the top, then his 2nd goal is at 1:29-
I don't know that it's clear it was anything more than a trial. I'm surprised a well-known young US prospect pulled on a Liverpool strip and played a game in public and this forum didn't notice for 4 months.
U.S. U18 MNT forward Brooks Lennon (@lennon_brooks) scored a goal in Liverpool U17's 2-0 preseason win over Schalke. http://t.co/Aw0SsrEN31— J.R. Eskilson (@JREskilson) August 2, 2014
Jake Brimmer (Australian, 16) and Brooks Lennon (American) both made their debuts for the U21s today.— Jack Sear (@JackSear) August 13, 2014
This is a thread for YA Academy. Hopefully it won't be too long until he's back in this forum. @dark knight, @Friedel'sAccent, @bungadiri
J.R. Eskilson @JREskilson 3h Liverpool loves Lennon. RT @TheFalseWinger7: Brooks Lennon debuted for the 21s today, the American is going to be a star
He's essentially signed with Liverpool's academy as long as his Visa allows him to stay. Once he turns 18 you'll probably see a more permanent move but we'll see. Everything depends upon his work permit.
Brooks Lennon An American! Brooks Lennon is an extremely quick winger who has been trialing and playing for Liverpool on and off over the past year or so. After scoring goals consistently during his time with the club, first on tour with the U17s last season, and more recently in a European pre-season tour match against Schalke, rumors are he has finally joined the club permanently. A product of the Real Salt Lake academy, Lennon has been ranked fourth on IMG's latest USA youth top 150 list and was called up to the USMNT Under-18 squad for a recent youth tournament in Portugal. And so it begins, another American about whom those of us with such proclivity can get excited. For his sake, let's hope Lennon can stay more injury free than LFC's last great American hope. http://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2014/8/15/6004311/academy-season-preview-under-18s