Reports have come in that St. Patrick's Athletic's 16-year-old defender, Sam Curtis, is being courted by Manchester City.
Curtis, formerly of Shamrock Rovers, has risen to prominence in recent months with mature performances well beyond his years, for a St. Pats side who are chasing European qualification.
He also played a crucial role in their crucial 2-1 victory over Dundalk last Friday, winning the ball back for side before they countered from deep and grabbed the winning goal in injury-time.
As reported by RTE Sport, Sam Curtis will not be eligible to sign for Man City until December 2018 - due to the new laws introduced after Brexit - but could potentially sign for the Man City owned feeder club, Lommel SK, who play in the Belgian second-tier.
He would then be loaned back to St. Pats and available to move straight to the Etihad when he turns 18.
Sam Curtis To Man City?
7 October 2022; Sam Curtis of St Patrick's Athletic in action against John Mountney of Dundalk during the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division match between Dundalk and St Patrick's Athletic at Casey's Field in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
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St. Pats' manager, Tim Clancy, described the importance and maturity of Sam Curtis, after his game-winning intervention against Dundalk.
“Sam instead of just clearing it has got his body in the way, composure and have that belief on the ball, he finds the pass to Barry (Cotter).
“Barry finds a brilliant pass to Ben, played Tunde on the overlap, it's a ball across and you have the defensive midfielder in the 93rd minute to tap the ball in.
“It's a fantastic goal but it starts with a 16 year old showing a lot more wisdom than you think at that age.”
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