7 Elite Academy UK player Josh Green has signed with one of the most famous professional academies in British football.

The 14-year-old has been recruited by Crewe Alexandra, which since the 1980s has produced a string of international players, including Danny Murphy, Rob Jones and Dean Ashton.

7 Elite Academy, which aims to help players reach professional football clubs, runs teams for thousands of youngsters in the United Kingdom, United States and Africa.

Green joined the Railwaymen just days before Christmas and is the first 7EA player worldwide to join a fully professional football academy

Anthony Godfrey, 7 Elite Academy Director, said: “I am delighted for Josh. He deserves this opportunity and I have no doubt his ability and attitude will definitely add to Crewe Alexander's Academy.

“Myself, Robbie (his coach) and his teammates will miss having him around the training pitch and games as Josh is a very likeable character who bonded very well with everyone here.

“But we all are very much proud that he has landed this opportunity and it does provide so many players from 13 onwards with hope that there is still plenty to play for with the right level of application.

“Once I received Josh's fantastic news and after speaking to his Dad on the phone, myself and Josh spoke at length, talking about what he needs to do to continue on this journey of his.

“I have a lot of faith in Josh's ability that he can progress even more.”

The young goalkeeper is the latest 7 Elite Academy player to be recruited by a top club, after 7EA East Africa youngster Shafii Omary Lumambo was spotted by Tanzanian Premier League outfit Kagera Sugar.

His move is part of a major partnership between 7 Elite Academy and parents to help soccer players progress towards the professional ranks.

Wayne Scholes, Chief Executive at 7 Elite Academy, is looking forward to seeing Green continue his development at the world-famous Crewe Academy.

He said: “This is fantastic news for young Josh who has worked incredibly hard to get this opportunity.

“In becoming the first 7EA player to sign for a professional club, Josh has shown all our young people that they too can achieve their dreams.

“Josh's entire family are rightly proud of him and that goes for everyone here at 7 Elite Academy, both in the U.K. and at our academies across the world.

“He has displayed all of our core values, including Excellence, Tenacity, Honor, Innovation, Community and Sacrifice. He is a shining example for us all.

“Crewe Alexandra has one of the best youth academies in professional football and for Josh, this is the opportunity of a lifetime.”