Ajax’s Daniel Milton joins Blackpool Youth Soccer Academy
Since about the age of 12, Daniel Milton had a vision to head over to England to immerse himself in its soccer culture.
This weekend, he will finally see that dream come to fruition.
The Ajax resident will be boarding a plane and heading over the pond to become part of the Blackpool Youth Academy where he will enroll in the two-year sports science program and elevate his skills to a whole new level.
“It’s always been my dream and goal to somehow get myself in England and get a scholarship or contract,” he says of his early ambitions. “Just recently the scholarship opportunities have been coming into play. About a year ago it was difficult choosing one or the other since universities in the States were getting interested. I had to pick one or the other.”
The Grade 11 student at Pickering High School has made six or seven trips to England since the age of 12, auditioning with some of the highest profile youth academies, including Chelsea, Birmingham, Fullham and Reading. The idea was to build interest among as many clubs as possible. The strategy worked, and following a visit to Blackpool in December, a deal was struck.
“Blackpool stuck out in my head as my favourite club to go to and lucky enough they offered the scholarship,” he says.
In addition to his studies, Milton, a goalkeeper, will train in the morning and evening with the professional club, with the season beginning in October and running through to the end of May, with Youth Cup games sprinkled in as well.
Interestingly, in a contrast of the education systems, Milton has accumulated enough credits through Grade 11 to enroll in university courses in England, but will have to get three more credits through correspondence to earn his high school diploma here in Canada.
As for embarking on a new chapter in his life, Milton is anxious to see it all come together.
“The positive part of going over since I was 12 is that it has been mentally and physically preparing myself that when this chance comes I’m going to have to move,” he says of the preparations. “Over the last six or seven years I’ve mentally prepared myself that I would have to pack my bags and head out.
“For me it’s all excitement. There are no nerves.”
Having honed his craft initially with Ajax FC, Milton has moved through the ranks and been a part of the national program the last couple of years. In April, at the CONCACAF championships in Panama, which served as a qualifier for the U17 World Cup, Milton helped Canada win bronze. The national squad reached the semifinal, but lost to the host Panama before more than 30,000 fans. In a penalty shootout in the bronze medal game, Canada emerged victorious over Honduras.
Because Blackpool will be in their pre-season in October, they have agreed to release Milton to join his Canadian teammates in Dubai for the U17 World Cup.
In a couple of recent games, Canada has tied Mexico, who have won the past two U17 titles, giving Milton hope of getting out of pool play and into the playoff round.
“We’re going out there to win,” says Milton of the mindset.