Football: Goal guru hot-foots it to England

Pakuranga College Year 9 student Arzan Todywalla is heading back to Birmingham. Photo / Dean Purcell

The future is bright for Pakuranga College Year 9 student Arzan Todywalla. He has been invited to train at the Birmingham City Football Club Academy for a second year.

"It's a pretty big step for my footballing career and I will get heaps of experience," said the 13-year-old striker, who plays for his school's 1st XI and the Fencibles United Club.

Coming to New Zealand with his parents from Mumbai, India at 18 months old, Todywalla has featured in Auckland school competitions at national level and was called "The Goal Machine" by a former coach.

Last year, he was captain of the Auckland Futsal Team to Australia.

Todywalla attributes his selection for a second three-week training camp in England to mentor Roger Wilkinson, of Premier Skills Academy, and his club coach Justin Green.

However, they say he has shown the work ethic and dedication to succeed in the professional game.

His father, Viraf, said he was proud of Arzan's passion for the game and the way he faced the challenges of balancing sport and his school studies.