BEIRUT: Manchester City have signed Abdel-Ghani Ramadan to their famed youth development program the Academy, making the youngster the first Lebanese player to represent a Premier League club, local newspaper Al-Liwaa reported.
The 17-year-old from the coastal town of Barja immigrated to Belgium at a young age before his football talents saw him sign for Greater Manchester side Ashton United.
It was not long before Ramadan’s promising performances for Ashton caught the attention of Manchester City scouts, whose recommendations resulted in him joining the 2012 Premier League champions.
In an interview with Al-Liwaa, Ramadan expressed his delight at signing for a side of City’s caliber while maintaining that he one day hoped to forge a career in the European and international arena.
Ramadan added “it was a dream come true” to join City, attributing his move to hard work and dedication, which he believes could lead to a future role with the senior side.
The Barja native remains eligible to represent the Lebanese national team, an opportunity he relishes and will address once he has finished his studies in England.
The prospect of Ramadan featuring for Lebanon is an enticing one, and he would join a growing contingent of foreign-based players currently in Guissepe Giannini’s squad.
Source: The Daily Star