New Delhi, May 16 (IANS) Mumbai’s Dhruvmil Pandya, 15, was on Saturday selected to train with English football club Crystal Palace’s academy for a year.
Pandya even represented the Crystal Palace Academy in a friendly match against Milwall FC, according to a release from the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
Pandya was selected from among 350 teenagers who competed at one of the club’s initiatives – ‘Play for Palace’, a partnership between Crystal Palace and Indian Super League team Mumbai City FC which was agreed upon last year.
Pandya also had two short stints with the AIFF regional academies. He underwent training in Navi Mumbai and Goa prior to proceeding to Crystal Palace for the trials.
It has been understood that the south London Club will pay for his education and training.
Pandya was chosen the winner by a panel of judges which included former Palace star Mark Bright and former England international Robbie Fowler.