Budding young South African footballer, Aphiwe Makhangela, says that he has signed a contract to join Barcelona when he matriculates in 2018.
The Siya crew reported on Wednesday that there had been claims that the 15-year-old from Stellenbosch had impressed during a trial with Barca late last year, and that he could possibly make the move there when he was finished with school.
According to Makhangela, who claims to play in Santos’ youth set-up, he will make the move to La Masia, Barcelona’s famed youth academy, in a few years' time.
While there has been no official confirmation of the youngster’s story, the crew tracked him down to talk about his future, and he insists that a move is on the cards.
Speaking to the crew, Makhangela said, “I’ve always wanted to be a professional footballer when Flying Kites helped sponsor me to go for trials at Barcelona I was overjoyed."
“I’m a midfielder that can play in the middle or on either wing and I did well when I was over there. I’m 15 and still studying in school, but I’ve signed a contract to go to La Masia once I matriculate."
“They say that I must build up my fitness over the next few years and they will consistently keep in contact with me.”
When confronted with the question as to why he hasn’t made the move to La Masia immediately, the youngster said, “They said that they want me to spend more time with my parents, and also because there were no spaces at English speaking schools there. I should be leaving in December 2018.”
The Siya crew is still looking to seek confirmation from Barcelona regarding the player’s claim, though we are still waiting on a response from the Catalan giants.