An '01 midfielder who was part of the U17 World Cup team this past fall. According to Soccerway, Indiana Vassilev has played in Aston Villa's last two U18 games. It is unclear to me whether he has signed or whether he is on trial. His last name is Bulgarian, so if he has a passport he'd be able to bypass the UK's work permit requirement - at least until Brexit is implemented, anyway. http://us.soccerway.com/matches/201.../west-ham-united-fc-under-18-academy/2558581/ http://us.soccerway.com/matches/201...demy/aston-villa-fc-under-18-academy/2558588/ And indeed the Villa website confirms the West Ham appearance. (They haven't posted a match report for the Reading U18 game yet.) He has been linked to the club in the past. http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2016/11/0...sk-for-talks-over-signing-indiana-vassilev-t/
No other mention of Vassilev in the match report from the game vs. West Ham, only that he "made his first appearance from the bench." https://www.avfc.co.uk/News/2017/11/22/match-report-villa-u18-0-1-west-ham-u18
Based on looking at the progress bar on the stats page for the game against Reading, looks like Vassilev started and played 65'.
Indiana Vassilev went 60' for Aston Villa 2-1 win over Conventry in FA Youth Cup action https://t.co/gPntstVxzu— Dallas Cup ⚽️ (@dallascup) December 14, 2017
Does that mean he has been signed? I'm unsure if a trialist would be able to play in a FA Youth Cup match.
Well he was listed as one of Villa's "next generation of stars" by the Birmingham Mail. http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/spo...news/scouting-report-take-close-look-14036398
Looks like he made quite the impression, but they play him on the wing? I didn't know he was quick or had many tricks. hmm interesting.
Reminds me of the time, several years from now when he is of legal drinking age, that Indiana Vassilev walked into a bar and asked for a beer. "Here you go," the bartender replied, setting a mug down in front of him. "That'll be $10. By the way, we don't get many successful Bulgarian-Americans in here." "Well, at these prices," Vassilev replied, "you won't get many more!" (Sorry. I only have like three jokes, none of them good.)
That reminds of of the time, several years from now when he is of legal drinking age and retired from a long and successful career as a Bulgarian-American soccer player for Aston Villa. He was just sitting at the end of a bar, minding his own business adjusting the napkins, when a guy walks in a bit fired up for some reason or other, and he's a Birmingham City fan to boot, and he recognizes Vassilev and decides to do something about it. He rips his coat off, showing a throwback BCFC jersey, jumps up on the bar, and declares, at the top of his voice: "I'm going to buy a drink for everyone in this bar, except for that tosser Indiana Vassilev!" A huge cheer erupts. But the guy can't help notice that Vassilev looks quite pleased. In fact, he gives the guy a smile and a friendly salute. And that just irks the fella even more. So he does it again -- jumps back up on the bar, dashes off a quick verse of an old team song, and then hollers: "One more time! Another round for everyone here, except for that Bulgarian-American Indiana Vassilev!" You can imagine his disappointment when he looks over again and Vassilev just gives him a polite bow. So he says to the bartender: "What's all this then? Why's that Vassilev so happy while I'm up here rubbing his nose in it?" "I suppose," replies the bartender, "it's because he owns this place."
Namazi Calls in 24 Players for Pair of U-18 Matches vs. Costa Rica U.S. U-18 MNT Roster by Position: GOALKEEPERS (3): David Ochoa (Real Salt Lake; Oxnard, Calif.), Jacob Schick (Chargers Soccer Club; Palm Harbor, Fla.), Kris Shakes (Philadelphia Union; Austin, Texas) DEFENDERS (6): Julian Araujo (Barca Academy; Lompoc, Calif.), Nico Benalcazar (New York City FC; Wilton, Conn.), Ian Hoffmann (Karlsuher SC; Karlsruher, Germany), Nelson Martinez (D.C. United; Woodbrigde, Va.), David Mendoza (Chicago Fire; Gage Park, Ill.), Leonardo Sepulveda (LA Galaxy; Corona, Calif.) MIDFIELDERS (9): Taylor Booth (Unattached; Eden, Utah), Cameron Duke (Sporting KC; Overland Park, Kan.) Roberto Hategan (Sacramento Republic F.C.; Chicago, Ill.), Aidan Morris (Crew SC Academy; Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.), Owen Otasowie (Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.; New York, N.Y.), Marcelo Palomino (Houston Dynamo; Houston, Texas), Stuart Ritchie (FC Groningen; Pleaston, Calif.) Thomas Roberts (FC Dallas; Little Rock, Ark.), Indiana Vassilev (Aston Villa F.C.; Savannah, Ga.) FORWARDS (6): Konrad De La Fuente (FC Barcelona; Barcelona, Spain), Jalen Hawkins (FC Bayern Munich; Regensburg, Germany), Ulysses Llanez (LA Galaxy; Lynwood, Calif.), Bryan Reynolds (FC Dallas; Frisco, Texas), Jose Rivas (Crew SC Academy; Weston, Fla.), Stefan Stojanovic (Sockers FC; Chicago, Ill.)
Started today, went 90 as Aston Villa U18 visited Norwich U18 and won 1 - 2 Calum Stretch remained on the bench today
I'm surprised that it says he's highly rated within the U.S. set-up. If anything, i've mostly heard he's not good enough. We shall see, but I don't have my hopes up.
Started today, went 90, for Aston Villa U18 and got the credit for an Assist on their 2nd goal in a 2 - 2 draw at West Ham U18 in U18 Premier League
Do we know if he signed any kind of contract (professional or academy) with Villa or is he still there on trial?
Don't think trialists can play in official youth league competitions in England. So he's got to be on one of those two contracts you mentioned.
He is registered with the English FA as an Aston Villa player - so he is not trialing any longer. He did sign a 3 year deal with Villa, but I cannot find any info as to whether this was a (full) Pro, or Academy. (from what I can see, Villa has yet to make an "official" announcement of his signing)