South Yorkshire teenager Josh Shelley signs footballing scholarship at American university

The central midfielder will take a degree in sports management at Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa, where he will combine his academic studies with playing college ‘soccer’.

Josh, 19, who was educated at Stocksbridge High School before taking a BTEC Diploma at Barnsley College, was put in contact with the Iowa university via Sporting Solutions, a company which helps youngsters develop their sporting career and education.

Josh was offered a place on Sporting Solutions’ scholarship programme due to his good sporting ability and his strong academic track record. He had a number of different scholarship offers from universities across Americabut decided to accept the offer from Clarke in Iowa.

“Without Sporting Solutions, none of this would of been possible, they have helped me through every stage of this process, “ he said.

Josh has played locally for Caribbean U21s and made his way to the national stage of the Nike Academy trials.

Sporting Solutions are currently looking for new athletes - footballers, tennis players, golfers and athletes - who wish to play full-time in America whilst studying towards a degree, starting in September 2019.

Interested players should register their interest online at: www.sporting-solutions.com