Five 7 Elite Academy players from Liverpool who travelled to the United States to play in one of the biggest college tournaments have returned with high hopes of securing sought-after scholarships.

The youngsters, who play for 7 Elite Academy UK Under-17s and AFC Liverpool under-18s, joined up with the academy’s US-based SABA teams at the Bethesda Premier Cup Showcase in Maryland.

They competed against some of the best youth football teams in the United States, as part of an event that is regarded as one of the foremost showcase events for college recruiters.

The trip was part of 7 Elite Academy’s Player Pathway program that regularly offers young people from Liverpool the opportunity to travel to the United States and gain college scholarships.

Michael Lismore, who joined the SABA 04 Boys squad, said: “This trip has inspired me to work as hard as I can towards gaining a top level soccer scholarship over in the United States.

“It’s been one of my best experiences of my life and I would love to keep returning to these events, so I can learn more about scholarships and college soccer.”

Joel Skillen, who was part of the SABA 06 Boys team at the event, added: “This trip has really changed my mind about studying and playing in the United States in the future.

“It is so exciting to play in a different country and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I’m going to work hard in college over here and hopefully go back the the US for a scholarship.”

Prosper Imarhiagbe, who was part of the SABA 04 Boys team, said: “I want to be able to get a scholarship, so I will work on the basics to improve my game and I will also get to understand our team better by playing and training more.

“It was a great experience to be part of the SABA team they were really welcoming and dedicated to the game.”

7 Elite Academy Director Anthony Godfrey, who accompanied the players to the tournament, said: “This trip is part was an opportunity for these youngsters to take the first steps towards studying in the United States.

“We made sure the players were seen by the best college recruiters and made contacts that could, in the future, give them the chance to secure a scholarship.

“As an academy we are constantly investing in the future of our players and giving them chances to not only play abroad but to also study and train here in Liverpool.

“We have close working partnerships with AFC Liverpool, as well as Access Sport sites in the city where many of our players study for Post-16 qualifications during the week.”

Access Sport student Josh Miles said: “The trip has made my mind up about studying in the United States.

“I definitely want to go back to the United States and get a scholarship, hopefully at a top university. Hopefully I can return and get more of a taste of football in America.”

Fellow Access Sport student Adam Dwyer added: “It was a great trip with some brilliant team mates. I am very open to studying in the United States and I gathered some important information.

“The really enjoyed the SABA experience and the players were very welcoming. The college showcase events are different to what I expected, but it was very useful.”