Accrington Stanley's Academy has sold one of their talented players to Everton and are delighted to see him thrive.
Calum Hatton Warbrick, who is 10 but was playing for the Under 11s, had been at Accrington Stanley's Academy for almost two years.
The central midfielder is from Bury and credits his development at Accrington with helping him move to a Premier League Academy.
“Accrington Stanley has helped me to develop as a football player but also as a person,” said Calum.
“The club has taught me about many things which include the importance of my diet, rest and sleep, keeping fit with exercises at home, as well as to show my respect to others.
“I am very excited to make the move to Everton and really looking forward to the challenges ahead. I believe they spotted me in a festival at Finch Farm while I was playing up a year for Accrington Stanley's Under 11s and I scored against them.
"I will hopefully be playing against the strongest players around at my age which I know will only develop me further as a player.
“I feel a little sad to leave Accrington and I owe everything to Accrington Stanley. I am grateful they had the belief in me at the start when I first came in on trial and they gave me my first contract.
“I am also very happy that they saw my game progressing and moved me to play with the U11s to develop me further.
“I wouldn't be in the position I'm in now playing for Everton if it wasn't for Accrington.”
His dad Kris Warbrick said: “I think Accrington Stanley is a great football academy that appears to be going from strength to strength.
“I would like to thank Duncan Fearnhead for giving Calum the opportunity in the first place, as well as all the other academy staff involved who have helped develop him further.”
Stanley's Academy Head of Coaching Duncan Fearnhead added: “From a selfish point of view, I am disappointed Calum is leaving us as he was a dream to work.
“Even though I wanted to keep him with us as I think he's got great potential, my job is to help all the kids I work with to develop and reach the highest level that they can.
“From my perspective we've lost him earlier than I'd like but I'm really pleased for Calum that he's got a move to Everton as he's earned it through the way he dedicates himself to being professional in everything he does.
“He's got a great attitude, he's really respectful towards staff and he's a really nice kid along with being a good footballer. We've sold a couple of lads in the past before Calum and have attention from Premier League clubs every weekend so things like this happen. If it's in the interests of Accrington Stanley and the player, then we embrace it.”
Everyone at Accrington Stanley wishes Calum all the best at Everton.