Nathan Delfouneso, who has just turned 17, has put pen to paper on a professional deal with Aston Villa that will keep him at the club until June 2010. avfc.co.uk has stated that Nathan was handed a squad number – 14 – and travelled down with the squad to Fulham on Sunday, but did not make the final 16.
Delfouneso is considered a huge talent at Aston Villa, and has been a regular for both the club’s Reserves and Youth teams. In October 2007, he scored his first goal for the Reserves in a 1-1 draw with Reading
Defouneso was also a regular for the England U16 team – collecting 8 caps and scoring 3 goals during the 2006 Victory Shield. In October 2007, Delfouneso marked his debut for the England U17 team with a hat-trick in a 6-0 victory over Malta.
Martin O’Neill’s ability to get the best out of youth players is well documented, and as he also rates Delfouneso highly, it appears that the 17 year old starlet is in good hands.
“I thought his performances in the youth team games this season have been excellent.”
“He has trained with the first team and he will continue to do that. He will move between that and games in the youth team – and there’s an important one coming up at Carlisle on Thursday.”
“It’s a matter of keeping his feet on the ground but he does seem like he is a level headed young man. He can play though – make no mistake!”
