Second teen star in bid for big time

Zak Brunt is bidding to become the second teen star from Matlock Town to make the jump from the EVO-STIK League to the professional game since the start of 2018!

The youngest ever player to make his senior debut for the Gladiators earlier this season after signing first team forms on his 16th birthday, the attacking midfielder started a trial at Premier League Leicester City on Thursday only a fortnight after Max Hunt sealed a move to Derby County.

Brunt, who recently featured on a BT Sport show about young footballers being rejected by professional clubs at an early age, has played for the academies at Aston Villa, Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, and most recently Derby.

Before arriving at the DCJ Group Insurance Arena four months ago and going on to skipper the EVO-STIK League Premier Division club's successful Northern Premier League Football Academy side and play alongside Hunt, Brunt spent the last two years with the elite academy at the Rams.

Birthday boy: Zak Brunt  signs for Matlock Town chairman Tom Wright

Birthday boy: Zak Brunt signs for Matlock Town chairman Tom Wright

Matlock Town’s development manager Justin Tellus was delighted for the youngster and hailed his abilities in a club statement announcing the trial.

Tellus told the club`s official website: “Zak is a special talent and has been superb within our academy system this season. He is an exceptional talent on the ball and we have worked closely with him on his off the ball game, which has improved significantly.

“I don’t doubt that Zac will go on to have a good career in football, and there will always be interest from various professional clubs surrounding such a talented young player. I and everyone at the club wishes Zak all the best during his trial with the Foxes.”

He added: “Leicester City’s approach shows the levels of interest surrounding our young players within our development sector and gives all the lads the inspiration to work hard to achieve their goals. We will continue to nurture and support our young talent and to help them achieve success in the game”.

Images courtesy of @Matlock_TownFC/Twitter

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