Photo by ISIphotos.com
You can add the name Luis Gil to the growing list of young American prospects getting looks from top European clubs.
Gil has been training with English power Arsenal FC since May 11th and could wind up joining the club's youth academy. The 15-year-old midfielder is the second youngest player in the U.S. Under-17 residency program and was one of the U.S. Under-17 team's top players in its recent unbeaten run through the CONCACAF Under-17 championships.
A product of the successful Pateadores Soccer Club in California, Gil is regarded as one of the best young midfielders in the U.S. youth national team pool. He tallied a goal and two assists in the U.S. Under-17 team's recent CONCACAF Championship victory against Cuba on April 21st.
Arsenal has a long history of uncovering top young talent and developing young standouts into established stars, with players such as Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott coming through the ranks. Gil is stil just 15 and would be unable to sign a professional contract, but he could join the Arsenal youth set-up, which could then lead to an eventual place with the senior team if he continues to develop.
Gil is one of several American teenagers to get looks from European clubs in recent months. Renken, Joseph Gyau and Gale Agbossoumonde have all had training stints with top European clubs in the past year.
What do you think about Arsenal taking a look at a 15-year-old American player? Were you impressed with Gil's game at the CONCACAF Under-17 championships? Excited about the prospects of a Charlie Renken-Luis Gil midfield potentially running the show for the United States in 2018?
