Aleksander Gogic’s path to Reading FC is a relatively simple one.

Aleks Gogic

Glan Latheren, a former professional goalkeeper who now mentors and trains emerging talents, indentified the standout netminder for the New York Red Bulls U16 squad.

Latheren recommended Gogic for a trial with Reading where he impressed the coaching staff on two separate occasions. The English club did not wait long before signing the 17-year-old.

“I signed a two-year profession contract with them,” Gogic told TopDrawerSoccer.com. “Since my parents are from Europe, I got a Polish citizenship, which make it a lot easier to get the work permit.”

Gogic appeared in seven games with the Red Bulls U16 side in Development Academy play this season. The teenager only let in one goal during that spell of games in net for the MLS Academy.

The rising star in the net has also been a member of the U.S. Residency Program during this U17 World Cup cycle. Gogic was selected for the Spring 2012 roster, but has not appeared with the group since then.

While, the U.S. U17 MNT tries to qualify for another World Cup at the CONCACAF Championship in Panama, Gogic is starting his professional career with the Royals.

U.S. YNT player trains with Liverpool

U.S. U17 Men’s National Team and Real Salt Lake-Arizona winger Brooks Lennon recently trained with Liverpool while on a brief stint in England.

Lennon left for the English club giants after an impressive showing at the U.S. U17 MNT camp for players born in 1997 at the Home Depot Center. The attacker had a goal and two assists in the scrimmage against the U15 BNT during the weeklong training camp in Carson, California.

Lennon cracked the Liverpool U16 starting lineup for a scrimmage against Right to Dream, an Academy from Ghana, on one of his final days in England.

Lennon’s older brother Riggs trained with Aston Villa last year where he impressed the coaching staff. The club invited him back for another trial after his freshman season at Virginia.

Former U.S. U15 BNT player debuts with Arsenal

Gedion Zelalem made his first official appearance with Arsenal on Monday when he started for Arsenal U21 side in a 3-2 loss to Liverpool. Zelalem wore the #10 jersey and played all 90 minutes, as the 16-year-old showed great vision while on the ball for the Gunners.

Zelalem had been called up in the past to the U.S. U15 BNT camps, but appears more likely to play for Germany at this point, as the youngster has been a regular fixture with the Germany U16 BNT over the past year.

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