Promising Paris joins Man. City Academy

James Paris has joined Manchester City FC as an Academy player. Football Frenzy Soccer School has been monitoring Paris's progress for the past four years and recently recommended him to one of their contacts in England and a trial was arranged.

City were impressed with Paris's contribution and invited his family to visit their facilities a few days later. At the end of the trial, Paris was offered the opportunity to join the club as an Academy player, a Football Frenzy statement said.

Paris was also paraded as a new Academy signing at the City of Manchester Stadium in front of the home supporters before last month's match against Wigan Athletic. He was introduced over the PA system as an exciting talent coming from Malta.

Paris was also presented with a personalised City shirt bearing his name. During the trial, Football Frenzy was represented by Wayne Peart who accompanied Paris and his family in Manchester.

Paris has been working hard for this opportunity. From the age of just 11 his abilities stood out. In 2004, during a Liverpool Training Camp in Malta, he was one of five boys selected from among 205 who were later invited to Liverpool's Academy at Melwood.

The following year Football Frenzy also arranged another trial at Reading and Southampton. In the meantime, Paris continued his club training and played abroad with Pietà Hotspurs who were the link for another training stint outside our shores, this time in Italy with Empoli Calcio.

Paris started his career with Luxol St Andrews before joining the Pietà nursery where after just one year, he was given the captain's armband of the U-14 team. Paris will be leaving for Manchester in July.

Man. City Academy Director Jim Cassell and Barry Poynton, Head of Recruitment, recently held talks with Football Frenzy officials in Malta. They had a look at the promising young talent at the school and pledged to work closer with Football Frenzy in future.