| |
|
| |
| Villarreal swoop for 'new Ronaldo' |
|
| September 2006 |
|
| |
|
Last year's UEFA Champions League semi-finalists offered exciting forward Brandon Manzonelli a three-year deal contract after the 16-year-old's frightening pace and wing wizardry bamboozled the opposition in a number of trial games for the Villarreal youth team.
Manzonelli, who hails from Missouri, had trials in England with Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City before trying his luck in the Spanish Primera Liga. league Villarreal in Spain. Manzonelli impressed the Spaniards with some dazzling display on the right wing in the Villarreal tournament against AC Milan, Boca Juniors, Real Madrid and Barcelona. Manzonelli, who has dual nationality thanks to his Italian grandfather, is also being tipped to represent the United States in next year's FIFA Under-17’s competition.
The winger admitted is hugely excited at the prospect of grooming his football skills in Spain. He said: "It is a dream come true to sign for Villarreal. It seems like only yesterday I was watching them in last year's Champions League semi-final. Now I am walking into training with the likes of Diego Forlan and Juan Roman Riquelme.
Riquelme himself was also impressed with the youngster's free-kick taking after helping him develop his set-piece technique on the training ground. Riqueleme said: “If he keeps working hard at his free-kicks I better watch my back!" he added: "Brandon certainly has the talent to make it all the way to the first team."
We will be keeping a keen eye on events in Spain and update you with any developments.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
