Football: Ex-Gunner Jordan Palmer is aiming to set world on fire
Published: 17 February, 2011
by STEVE BARNETT
A GIFTED young footballer aiming to make a name for himself within the beautiful game insists that being released by a top Premier League club is the best thing that could have happened to his fledgling career.
Everyone expected Jordan Palmer to be devastated when Arsenal revealed that they wouldn’t be offering him a scholarship when his two-year schoolboy contract came to an end.
But far from dwelling on what might have been, the talented 16-year-old, who lives in West Hampstead, believes moving to another club will only help him climb to the top of the sport.
Showing maturity beyond his years, Jordan said: “The coaches said that they weren’t letting me go because of my ability, but because they already had five strikers on their books.
“I already knew that the club had a lot of forwards so I wasn’t surprised really. I don’t think that I would have played many games if I had stayed there.
“Everyone expected me to be upset but I think it was better for me. It’s made me more excited about my future because I know it’s hard for youth players to break into the first team at Arsenal.
“I improved so much during my time at the club. Week in, week out I was playing against some of the best young players in the country.
“I also got the chance to play in a tournament in Italy against teams like Juventus, and have even scored a goal against Leicester at the Emirates.
“Now, however, I’m looking forward to new challenges and new goals,” he added.
Within days of being released Jordan was receiving offers from a host of the country’s top clubs, including Chelsea, Tottenham and West Ham.
Despite the interest from the Premiership clubs, the Hampstead schoolboy is leaning towards a deal with Championship side Nottingham Forest, where he would be reunited with close friend Sebastian Eurico.
Jordan said: “Going to any club on trial is nerve-wracking because you don’t know anyone. Seb already being at Forest would be a plus because we’ve played together before and have a great understanding both on and off the pitch.”
Sebastian, who lived with his family in Camden Road before moving to digs near the City Ground, is currently two years into a four-year deal at Forest.
He revealed he would be delighted to play alongside Jordan again and that they would form “a lethal partnership” at the club.
“Obviously I’m a better player,” he joked. “Jordan is a very talented and intelligent player. We’ve been friends since playing together for the Camden Under-11s District team, we also both use to play for Venue FC.
“It would be great to have him in the team alongside me. We’d make a lethal partnership in the Forest Under-18s.”
• Both Jordan and Sebastian got their break within the professional game after joining the Pro Touch Soccer Academy, which is holding trials at Market Road on Wednesday.
Any young players who are interested in signing up with the Academy need to register at: www.protouchsocceracademy.com