Why goalkeeping prodigy Damian Las could evolve into a future star at Fulham
As confirmed via Fulham’s official website, Fulham have completed the signing of 17-year-old goalkeeper Damian Las from the academy of MLS outfit Chicago Fire.
Las, who is a youth international for the United States, moved across the Atlantic to further his development and will be expected to initially link up with Steve Wigley’s U-18 side at Craven Cottage, with a view to a future role in the first-team.
The 17-year-old was held in high regard by the youth coaches in Chicago and has been touted by many to go on and ply his trade at the highest level in the future. Las has featured for the United States at the U-17 level, although he is yet to make the jump to his nation’s U-19 or U-20 ranks.
The arrival of Las in West London marks the continuity of American heritage at Fulham, with the Cottagers already boasting of talented youngsters like Marlon Fossey and Luca de la Torre, as well as veteran Tim Ream, who is one of the mainstays of Scott Parker’s senior team.
Players arriving from the Atlantic shores are still eyed with scepticism by a large section of the fans and media in England but Fulham have some very fond memories of American players gracing the beautiful game at their stadium.
Indeed, players like Clint Dempsey and Brian McBride have gone down as legends in the history books at Craven Cottage and Fulham have every reason to welcome a talented youngster like Damian Las to their youth setup with an air of optimism.
The 17-year-old, though regarded as a big talent with a lot of potential, is still very much in his formative years as a footballer and his decision to switch Chicago for London could pay rich dividends in the future.
The starlet is now going to get a chance to hone his skills in a more competitive and intense environment and, with better coaching and training facilities at Fulham as compared to the MLS, one would expect him to evolve into a top-notch professional in the years to come and eventually go on to fulfil his promise.
Looking at things from Fulham’s perspective, it is important for any club to have an adequate level of competition in their youth ranks and the recruitment of Las has most certainly bolstered their goalkeeping options at the U-18 level.
A club with ambitious owners, the Cottagers need to polish a few gems in their academy and oversee their transition from the youth ranks to the senior level to build a strong platform for the future and it is easy to see that the arrival of Damian Las is a step in the right direction.
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For the time being, though, Las still has plenty of work to do on his development in order to earn himself a senior call-up at Fulham but the Cottagers will be hoping that the American prodigy can follow in the footsteps of some of his compatriots to stardom in the years to come.