LOOKING TO THE FUTURE… Matty Smyth pictured receiving his NI Cap from David Healy
Ballinamallard United defender Matthew Smyth looks set to sign for English League Division Two side Stevenage Borough from London.
The 16 year old had a successful week long trial with the League Two side last week and the club showed its interest after his performances in training and two trial games.
Now he is likely to sign a two year trainee contract, in other words a scholarship.
The young Ballinamallard man looks set to sign later this week.
Stevenage, who playat the Lamex Stadium, have been watching Smyth since they first spotted him playing for Northern Ireland Schoolboys in the Victory Shield earlier in the year.
They have been monitoring his progress with Ballinamallard Youth and Ballinamallard Reserves.
During his trial week he had double training sessions during the day and two games.
They plan to take him to London as soon as possible where he will train in the academy and play for their under-18 side at the weekends.
Smyth played in all the Victory Shield games against Scotland, England and Wales and has since been a part of the Northern Ireland elite set up under Steven Robinson.
The young players was impressed with the set up at Stevenage and their excellent facilities and coaching structure.
“He’s quite excited about the move,” said his father Mervyn.
“It’s an exciting time for him, but we know that this is only the first step. All the hard work starts here if he is to progress to a professional contract.”
His signing will mean he must withdraw from the Fermanagh Milk Cup Premier squad which plays in the international competition in Coleraine later this month.