Local boy joins Fulham elite

What an extraordinary achievement James Musa has accomplished.

The Whanganui football player at age 20 has a contract with Fulham FC. He was back home for a couple of days to spend Christmas with his family.

The odds of getting a contract with a club like Fulham are similar to a Kiwi opening for Rihanna or winning a Nobel Prize.

Fulham is the oldest established club in London playing in the 20-club Premier League.

Having watched a game at the club's home ground Craven Cottage and seen the the passion for the team first-hand, Musa has made his way on to hallowed ground.

He has joined an elite like no other in the world.

He has a one-year contract with Fulham, which was signed on August 31, 2012.

There is an additional one year option.

This may not sound like a solid career platform but in the world of professional, top-tier international sport, it's pure gold.

And it's all due to hard work and persistence.

Like most footballers - or sportspeople in general - James Musa has had his knocks.

He was released from the Phoenix in 2010 and a deal with Bradford City fell through in 2011.

Playing for Fulham's under 21 squad, the young defender seems to have his head screwed on right.

He knows he will have to take his career as he finds it - as he says, it's a selfish game and "you've got to do it for yourself."

That means the opportunity to play for the Premier League squad is in his own hands - or feet.

The city's International Junior Sportsperson of the Year has a lot to prove, but - one suspects - mainly to himself.

Everyone in Whanganui will wish the young man well.