LIAM Sayers has signed a scholarship deal with Portsmouth Football Club Academy.

The former Bridport youth player has been travelling to the Pompey academy for the last two-and-a-half years and, after scoring 21 goals in as many games this season, was awarded a two-year deal.

He will now start work as a paid footballer on July 1.

Sayers started his footballing education with Bridport Youth at the age of 11 and his goalscoring was noticed by Dorchester Town’s newly-formed academy in 2009.

He was spotted by Portsmouth scout Jan Rowles while playing at the Dorchester six-a-side tournament and watched over the following year.

Sayers was also asked to represent the Dorset FA team and impressed enough in a game against Portsmouth Under-13s to be asked for a trial with the Pompey academy.

A two-year deal followed at the end of the trial when he was 14 and he has been lucky enough to play against the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Southampton and Fulham, among others.

Sayers can now look forward to a footballing education career with Portsmouth and will now jet off to Holland for a three-game tour, while also representing the Hampshire side’s Under-18 development squad.