The name of Gilbert may one day join those of Messi, Xavi, Iniesta and Puyol if one Halstead teenager’s dreams come true in Barcelona.

The list of footballing greats who have graced the turf of the Catalan giants trip off the tongue and Halstead Town’s Kane Gilbert is set to take his first steps on a path that may see him taking his place at their famous Camp Nou ground.

Gilbert has been invited to attend trials at FC Barcelona after club scouts saw a video of him playing for Peterborough United’s youth team that had been sent to them by his mum Donna.

Having been impressed by what they saw, the Barça coaches asked the 15-year-old Hedingham School pupil to the trials that will see him join young hopefuls from all over the world for a series of gruelling training sessions over the next few weeks.

He said: “It’s going to be brilliant, it’s an amazing opportunity.

“It will really help me with my football, working with coaches like Barcelona have got and having access to their advice, and anything else that comes from it will be a bonus.

“It’s going to be great just being out there.”

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