A PROMISING footballer is jetting across the Atlantic for an experience of a lifetime.

Jamie O’Brien, from Darlington, will be heading to the USA later this summer to take up a football scholarship.

Jamie, who plays for Darlington FC under 18s and attended Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, will be heading to Drury University located in Springfield, Missouri and will play for a team known as the Panthers.

He will start his scholarship, which will see him combine university studies alongside playing high level football and training full time, next month.

To help secure his place, Jamie took part in a USA Coach Showcase held at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre in Berkshire in December to help further his exposure to universities in the USA and those reviewing the video footage online.

Jamie said: “The main reason I wanted to study in the US is because it means I can still train and play football full time whilst obtaining a degree.

“I’m most looking forward to starting my first season with Drury and hoping to do well and meeting my new teammates.

“I chose to join Drury University because of the sporting facilities it provides, the ambition of the coaching staff to do well and size of the town.”

Director Daniel Gray said: “Jamie will bring goals to Drury University and we look forward to tracking his progress.

“He has shown great desire and dedication throughout the process to not only communicate with the university coaches but to make sure all of the paperwork side was completed in a timely manner.

“Jamie performed well in our events and attracted coached with his goal scoring and physical forward play.

“Academically he will be well prepared heading to the USA after two years at Queen Elizabeth in Darlington and follows in the footsteps of previous students we have sent to the USA from the college.”

Places are now available for students seeking to enter a US university soccer programme next year.

For more information, visit www.PASS4Soccer.com.