Soccer prodigy Savannah Murray has signed a prestigious contract with English football powerhouse Manchester United at the tender age of 11 years old.
The former Agnes Banks resident moved to Manchester 18 months ago with parents Adam and Samantha to realise her dream of trying out for the big English football clubs.
Savannah started playing soccer at the age of four after being influenced by her cousins who were already playing at an elite level, scoring 88 goals in her first season with Penrith RSL under-5s.
The achievement saw her awarded a sports sports scholarship with Mamre Anglican School at the age of five, and at six she was signed by Blacktown City under-9s squad as the only girl on the team.
Savannah was retained by Blacktown City up until the age of nine, when the family left Australia so she could try her luck in the UK.
Since her arrival, the midfielder has played for Manchester Cup-winning Stockport County, taking out both the top goalscorer award and players’ player trophy.
Savannah was offered contracts with both Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers for next season, however chose The Regional Talent Centre, Tier 1 at Manchester United’s Foundation Football Association for girls due to her love for the club.
“It's an awesome feeling, I can't believe I have got this opportunity to fulfil my dream,” she said from England. “I love England, but my heart is in Australia and I hope I can fulfil my next dream of playing with the Matildas.”
Proud grandad Ed Williams said Savannah had worked exceptionally hard at her sport over the years.
“Nobody knows how hard Savannah has worked for this opportunity and she deserves everything she achieves,” he said. “She is loved by her coaches and team mates because she has such a great personality and her desire to listen and learn is a credit to her.”
Savannah will train twice a week with Man Utd but also attends a private training academy once a week run by the Technical Director of Stockport County.
Not to be outdone, Savannah's 13-year-old sister, Charlize is also a very talented athlete who also won a Scholarship At Mamre Anglican School and was a member of the same state winning school teams with Savannah.
She represented the school at netball, cross country and Aussie rules, and played district basketball for Penrith. As a 10 year old, Charlize took up full contact karate and won four gold medals in Canberra, three in Singleton and three in Windsor also travelling to the UK.
In London she won The Great Britain Open in London at her first tournament, and within six months was invited into the England Karate squad and represented them at the European titles in Italy and the World Titles in Scotland.
She also represented the Great Britain team in Malta, winning Gold.
She retained the Great Britain open title in London this year and has also won the Liverpool open twice, the Manchester open, the Malta open and the title of Mediterranean Grand Prix champion.
Since arriving in England, Charlize has won nine gold medals and trophies, eight silver and seven bronze all in open competition, all as a brown belt.
She is due to receive her black belt in January next year.
