Austin Welch was hand-picked from an invitation-only camp of 65 kids in July as the lone winner and received an opportunity to train with Feyenoord’s academy in November. Four academy coaches from Feyenoord selected the 11-year-old from Georgetown, Kentucky.

“This will be his first trip,” Matt Welch, Austin’s father, told TopDrawerSoccer. “He is excited to miss a little school and train in Europe.”

Sevy Sucurovic, Feyenoord’s Director of Business Affairs–USA, organized the camp and invited the players. Austin Welch stood out from the group, which included some of the best players age eight to 15 from Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana.

“Austin is very technical,” Matt Welch said. “He has a very good skillset. His footwork is well above average for his age.”

He is hoping to show off the nifty footwork when he gets to the Netherlands later this year. Matt Welch gave all the credit to his club coach at Lexington FC, Aaron Hopper, and Michelle Rayner, another coach at the club and the associate head coach for Kentucky. Matt Welch also gave a special mention to the Buffalo Wild Wings franchise in Lexington, which helped sponsor the camp and trip for the winner.

When asked if the family had considered the possibilities if things went well for Austin in November, Matt Welch said the family had thought about it.

“We want to afford every opportunity that presents itself to Austin,” Matt Welch said. “We will figure out how to get him up there... The ultimate goal for him would be to secure a permanent position with the club.”

U.S. U18 MNT in Europe

The U.S. U18 Men’s National Team is headed to the Czech Republic this week for a tournament, but a number of players from the 20-man roster have already been in Europe.

A source told TopDrawerSoccer that U.S. Soccer helped arrange training opportunities for the players at various clubs in Germany. Social media savant Cameron Lindley (Chicago Fire) tweeted a picture from his time training with 1860 Munich with Jackson Yueill (Minnesota Thunder).

Stuttgart’s official twitter account tweeted a picture of Jonathan Klinsmann (Irvine Strikers) training with the club. Klinsmann and recent FC Dallas Homegrown signee Coy Craft spent a couple days with the club. 

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