Djair Parfitt last made an appearance with the U.S. youth national team when he debuted for the U14 Boys National Team in a camp in Massachusetts back in 2009, but he may just be an important name to keep in mind for the future.

Parfitt, who is not a U.S. citizen yet but in the process, officially joined West Ham’s youth academy last week.

After nearly two years training at the club, Parfitt has claimed a spot on the squad for next season.

“For the past two months or so, I have been playing with the U18s and also been training with the U21s,” Parfitt told TopDrawerSoccer.com. “Next season, I will be a U17, which means a ‘first year’ in the U18 team.”

Parfitt was born in Bermuda, which makes him a British citizen and eligible to join the club as a youth, and moved to the United States at early age when he started his climb through the youth soccer structure.

“When I first moved to California at the age of seven-eight from Bermuda, I played for a recreation team called Vintage Park,” he said. “I quickly then moved onto a competitive team called Elk Grove Everton.”

Another step up to a club called Milan FC (Hilmar, California) paved the way for Parfitt before he joined the San Jose Earthquakes Academy.

“I wanted a more professional environment so I moved onto San Jose Earthquakes, and now at West Ham United.”

Parfitt said that former West Ham great Clyde Best was the one who spotted him and brought him to the English club.

“Due to his large amount of respect at the club, they didn’t question him and invited me over for a two-week trial. I went from there.” 

From there, Parfitt has made a name for himself including scoring a goal against Stoke City last week in a 2-0 victory for West Ham U18s.

“I am the starting attacking midfielder in most games, but I can generally play in any attacking role from striker to winger. So I get moved around depending on how our coach feels we should go into that game.”

West Ham ended the regular season with four wins from its final five games to finish third in the Premier Academy League Qualification Group 1.

Parfitt said that U.S. Soccer coaches do keep in touch with him.

“I have heard from U.S. Soccer quite a bit in the last two-three years, but due to me not being a full U.S. citizen, I haven’t been able to answer any of these call-ups . . . yet. Hopefully, if God blesses me enough I will be able to join them and represent the USA.”

While his international future waits, Parfitt has kept his eye on achieving his goal at the club level despite overcoming bits of homesickness.

“To be honest, it can get quite lonely out here missing my friends and family, but I know these are some of the sacrifices I need to make to continue living my dream and doing what I love – and more importantly reaching one of my main goals of playing in the English Premier League.”

Flores heads to Germany for training with Borussia Dortmund

U.S. U17 Men’s National Team midfielder Junior Flores has traveled to Germany to begin training with his future club Borussia Dortmund, ahead of officially joining the club in 2014.

The attacking midfielder signed a pre-contract deal with the two-time German champions last October, and while FIFA laws prevent him from moving abroad full-time until his 18th birthday (which is next year) he will train sporadically with the club in the meantime.