Three young Robins from the Cheltenham Town Academy are to take part in an elite training camp with Portuguese giants Benfica next month.
George Cuzner, Connor Jakeways, both 13, and William Holland, 15, will all fly out to Portugal in for an elite training camp, after being selected from players around the world. Felix Miles was also invited but injury has unfortunately ruled him out.
Cheltenham Town’s Academy has visited Benfica several times in recent years and now, after a tour in April, three aspiring young players are heading back for a once in a lifetime opportunity in Lisbon.
The trio will train, eat and sleep like Benfica players for a month at one of the best Academy set-ups in world football.
Each player will receive four hours of training per day with Benfica’s qualified coaches and train and play alongside players from around the world.
The three Robins will also play against other Portuguese academies, be evaluated by the club’s scouting department and eat food prepared under the supervision of Benfica’s Department of Nutrition.
They will not miss any school work, with independent study time, and will also get to watch first team matches, including the home Champions League clash with Manchester United on October 18.
Academy Manager Antoine Thompson said: “This is an amazing experience for our young players, who will be training with a club voted as having the best academy in the world in 2015.
“The club’s business model evolves around the youth system that produces players for the first team and then sell them on for millions of euros to clubs around the world.
“Ever since the Luke Thomas trial, Benfica have been in touch with me and wanting to see our talent. We decided to take the whole academy out on tour in April 2017 and as a result they chose several players they would like to see again.
“We are extremely proud of these boys to be invited to the elite camp, which shows the talent and good attitude they have. As a result, we will now look to travel to Benfica in two-year cycles to give other players in the Academy set-up the opportunity to be noticed by the world footballing giants.
“Like anything tours and trips abroad come at a cost, so if there are any sponsors who would be willing to help fund our tours and/or individual players on this amazing opportunity in future please get in touch with the club.”