Young footballer Matthew Guillaumier is to join Empoli after leaving a good impression while being monitored by the Italian Serie B club over the past year.

Guillaumier trains regularly at his club Luxol St Andrew’s and soccer school Footy 4 U whose chief goal is to promote local talent with foreign coaches and scouts representing professional clubs.

In a statement, Footy 4 U said Guillaumier will be an Empoli player in 2014 and until then he will continue to practise under the scrutiny of the Italian club’s youth staff coaches.

Andrea Vella, director and head coach of Footy 4 U, has been in regular contact with Andrea Innocenti, Empoli’s head of recruitment who visited the islands last year to watch Footy 4 U players in action.

Innocenti was also present when Guillaumier and the Luxol U-15 squad took part in a tournament in Rome last December. A few weeks later, the Luxol youngster was invited for a trial and impressed the Empoli coaches during his time there.

Guillaumier has been playing for Luxol since a very young age and joined Footy 4 U in 2010. He continued to show steady progress while keeping his feet on the ground.

Footy 4 U added that Luxol St Andrew’s FC president Paul Falzon has also contributed to make Guillaumier’s transfer happen.

Meanwhile, it was announced that the third summer academy at Footy 4 U will be starting shortly.

One may obtain more details by contacting the organisers at info@footy4umalta.com.