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Teenage football sensation Sam McCallum admits he's "living the dream" after it emerged Premier League clubs are reportedly keeping tabs on the former Canterbury schoolboy.
The 19-year-old, who went to the city's Langton Boys, has recently broken into the first team of League One side Coventry City.
And despite just 12 starts, it’s reported that clubs in the top flight are already lining up a January bid for the former Herne Bay FC star.
The talented defender only signed for Coventry a year ago, shortly after finishing his A-levels.
But he’s already making waves in the third tier of the football pyramid, with coaches saying he has "everything you want in a left-back".
“I’m still settling in, but I’m more comfortable now,” he says.
“I’m more comfortable in the accommodation I’m in because I’m staying with (teammate) Morgan Williams, and we’re like brothers.
“It’s helping me with what I’m doing on the training ground and the pitch.
“I do feel like I’m doing something for my family, but it’s hard not being able to see them all and see their reactions, rather than hearing them over the phone. I hope I’m doing them proud.”
Sam, who grew up in Herne Bay, admits that four years ago he thought his hopes of a career in football were over after he was dropped from Gillingham's academy.
“At that point, I was thinking it wasn’t going to be my career,” he says.
“But dad said 'if you really want it, stick at it and you'll get what you want eventually'.”
Sam continued playing and broke into Herne Bay's first team, but it was his performances at the V9 Academy - set up by Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy to spot non-league talent - which caught the eye of Coventry City scouts.
Premier League club Aston Villa and promotion hopefuls Leeds United are now among the sides rumoured to be considering a bid for the youngster in the new year.
But despite admitting he is excited by the possibility of playing in the top flight, Sam insists his sole focus is on cementing a place in Coventry’s first team.
“Playing in the premiership is obviously still a dream,” he says.
“If I went all the way it’d be so big for me because I’m one of those millions of kids who have wanted it.
“But at the moment I’m focusing on trying to get the starting position at Coventry and then see where it goes from there.
“I’m definitely living the dream.”
