Manchester City’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper Curtis Anderson has left for Charlotte Independence in America.
The teenager was England No 1 as they triumphed at the Under 17 World Cup two years ago and wanted first-team football.
Anderson – who also previously had interest from Preston North End – had trained with Pep Guardiola’s first team and was highly thought of at the City Football Academy.
The 18-year-old’s courageous move across the pond is in the hope of gaining experience in the USL Championship. He is believed to have been recommended to manager Jim McGuinness by City’s pathways boss Fergal Harkin.
‘I quickly decided that this was too good an opportunity to miss out on,’ Anderson said. ‘Especially the chance playing in senior football for the first time in my young career.’
Anderson started at Blackpool and his former Under 17 international team-mates include Phil Foden, Jadon Sancho and Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Anderson added: ‘The manager's enthusiasm and positivity in wanting me to be part of his plans just convinced me even further that this is a move that could possibly help me develop my career more quickly than I could in England.’
The goalkeeper could be in line for a debut this weekend when Charlotte Independence take on Atlanta United 2.