Maidstone United defender Ben Swift has agreed to sign for Aston Villa.Swift, 17, has accepted Villa's offer of a six-month scholarship which could lead to a professional contract.
Liverpool, Leicester City and West Bromwich Albion have been sniffing around Swift but having already trained with Villa and played three games for their under-18 side, he plumped to return to Bodymoor Heath.
Swift said: "I was buzzing when I first knew that a Premier League club was watching me and that they wanted to take me on trial. I was quite excited and it showed that I was doing well.
"It was a big surprise, to know that a big club like that thought I was good enough to play for them.
"A few other clubs came in and wanted me to go on trial but I thought I'd go with Aston Villa for the six months. If nothing happens, I've lost nothing, but I really hope I get something at the end of it."
Maidstone's academy manager Jack Parkinson said: "I think Villa is the best deal for Ben. He's settled in there and he knows what it's all about. If he'd gone somewhere else, he'd have had to start all over again.
"It's fantastic for everyone involved with the club.
"Ben struggled a bit last year, he would beat himself up, but we've seen him come out of that and he's become a really good centre-half.
"He's a nice lad and he'd do anything for you, which is why we made him captain.
"He's so helpful and when you've got a lad like that, you want him to do well."
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