AFC Bournemouth have announced the arrival of 20-year-old Jordan Green from Southern Premier League Banbury United, having stacked shelves for a local supermarket.
Green funded his own trial period, impressing in the process, which has earned him a professional contract having been rejected by Fulham at the tender age of 16.
Speaking in the Bournemouth Evening Echo on the step up from Southern Premier to Barclays Premier, Green is quoted as saying: "I am about 5ft 6ins now and Messi is only slightly taller than me. He is the best player in the world and it gives you a lot of inspiration to know you don’t have to be big to be the best. I spent five years at Fulham but, unfortunately, didn’t get offered a scholarship when I was 16. I was 4ft 11ins, maybe 5ft, at the time but have grown a lot since then. I had my growth spurt late. I have spent four years away from the professional environment and have learned a great deal. I have grown in character as well as stature and am determined to take my chance. I’m hungry. Sometimes you can find scholars are in the comfort zone because they are with a pro club. The training is good and they become better players. When you are in the non-league environment like I have been, you never know when or if your opportunity will come so it makes you more determined to take it if you get one".
Green has signed a 1-year deal.