Ulverston's Curtis Anderson was part of the England side who dazzled in winning the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in 2017 and is now in demand for when the transfer window reopens in January.
The 19-year-old goalkeeper made the bold move to leave Manchester City in March for American USL Championship outfit Charlotte Independence.
However, his manager there was sacked after only ten games and Anderson is now back in England and training with Blackburn Rovers, who are one of a number of Championship clubs who are interested in signing him.
Anderson has set his sights on gaining first-team experience sooner rather than later, saying to Goal.com: “It was difficult leaving City because it was my whole life. I left my parents at the age of 12 to move to Manchester. It was a good environment because I matured very fast.
“But I know where I want to go and I didn't think staying would be the best for me.
“It’s different to being an outfield player, where you can come on for 20 minutes.
“That’s why I went to America to play games; you have to have something that sets you apart from everyone else.”
Two of Anderson's former teammates at City have already progressed to senior level, with Jadon Sancho, who now plays for German side Borussia Dortmund, becoming a regular in Gareth Southgate's England squad.
Phil Foden is having to be patient under Pep Guardiola, while Chelsea's Callum Hudson-Odoi and Wolves' Morgan Gibbs-White have also made progress.
Anderson said: "I think that team, as long as they keep going in the direction they're going, we definitely have a chance of winning the World Cup in a couple of years.
“When everyone matures a bit and you add in a couple of senior players that are already there, anything is possible.”
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