WEYMOUTH’S Curtis Hansford will be heading to the USA this summer in order to take up a prestigious football scholarship.

Hansford, who plays for AFC Bournemouth and the Nike Academy, is set to join UNC Charlotte in North Carolina.

He arrives in August to study and play for the '49ers' team, one of the highest ranked in the nation.

Hansford will have the opportunity to combine his university studies alongside playing high-level football for the next four years.

The scholarship has been gained through the PASS4Soccer Scholarship Network.

Winning such a high-value placement is in recognition of both his academic achievements and athletic ability, as well as an impressive performance in the PASS4Soccer US Coach Showcase held at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre last December.

“The University of North Carolina is the university I chose because of their reputation in the NCAA,” he said. “The campus, facilities and location are outstanding.

“I was lucky enough to go out there and visit for a couple of days and didn’t want to come back. I couldn’t fault it or the surroundings in anyway.”

PASS4Soccer every year assist around 100 students find football scholarships in the USA. Similar level scholarships are not available in the UK.

British students placed in American universities and colleges by PASS4Soccer have earned well over $30,000,000 worth of education through introductions to scholarship programmes.

The scholarship can cover all of the tuition fees, accommodation and food.