Teenage French football prodigies kickoff careers with Leamington FC and Warwickshire college

Rayan Pierre and Thomas Kavuliviko, both aged 18, are playing in the Leamington FC Football Academy, which is run in partnership with WCG (formerly Warwickshire College Group) and is based at Moreton Morrell College.

The college programme provides a pathway into the Brakes’ under-19s team and the duo are already making an impact, joining six other players to make the step-up from college to the under-19s side.

The team has enjoyed a strong start to the season, winning four of its first five matches, with the college players also continuing to study for a qualification in Sport.

Parisian striker Rayan has already established himself in the starting 11 and leads the line for the side, and had previously developed his game at a training centre in Paris.

Thomas, from Evreux in the Normandy Region, is a goalkeeper and has already represented his country at under-17 level, previously playing for Evreux Football Club.

They join other college students Josh Allen, Dylan Parmar-Diggle, Fin Carter, Mackenzie Patchett-Smythe, Arthur Pomanus and Charlie Howlett in breaking into the under-19s Leamington FC squad.

Under-19s manager Scott Pheasey said: “The college players have come in and hit the ground running, it’s definitely more physically demanding on player condition but they have made the step up well.

“We’ve had a few college players in each week.

"It’s a good atmosphere in the squad and they enjoy being around the team.

“For the two French lads to come over to a country they don’t know is always going to difficult with the language barrier but they are adapting well.

“Thomas is a talented goalkeeper and Rayan is a forward with explosive pace, strength and likes a tackle too. He is comparable to how Jamie Vardy plays with his constant running and getting into the channels to cause defenders problems.”

Pierre and Kavuliviko were brought over to trial for the Leamington FC academy by Mark Fogarty, the club’s football and business development manager, after forging a relationship with a football agent in France.

It is hoped their success will pave the way for more players to join the academy and study at WCG from the country, as they seek to develop a career in professional football.

Philippa Gerrard, Head of Department for Sport at WCG, said: “It’s fantastic to see the students from the Football Academy being given development opportunities like this and realise their full potential as footballers.

“But importantly they are also gaining valuable qualifications during their time in the academy, and this is the same for Rayan and Thomas.

“To leave home at such a young age and move to the UK shows great ambition and we look forward to following their development closely over the coming months and years.”

To find out more about the course at WCG and for information on upcoming trials for the Leamington FC Academy visit www.wcg.ac.uk/leamingtonfc