Thailand-based Carlisle football prospect Clayton Ruddick decides on his next move

Clayton Ruddick, whose family are from Carlisle, recently had trials with top Thai club Bangkok United.

But the teenager has now decided to take up a football scholarship at a top American college.

He is joining Notre Dame College in Ohio and will play for their team, the Notre Dame Falcons.

They play in the Mountain East Conference (MES) and are part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division Two (NCAA).

Clayton, 18, will accompany this with a four-year sports management degree.

Clayton Ruddick, right, on Notre Dame College's soccer Instagram page

A versatile attacking player, he had a number of offers to weigh up but Notre Dame proved the most attractive.

“They seemed to be Clayton’s favourite and pushed the hardest to get him,” said his dad, Gavin.

“After the trials with Bangkok United and interest from other teams, he’s had to make his mind up and he has committed to this team.

“He’s been assigned his shirt number, they’ve announced it on Instagram and he’s due to start there in August.

“It’s going to be an exciting adventure and hopefully it will help him kick on to higher teams or going professional – another stepping stone to get where he wants to be.”

Clayton played for Harraby Catholic Club’s junior teams before moving to Thailand aged nine, as Gavin had his own business in the country.

He played for a local academy called Planet Football, and was eventually spotted by Brazilian club Cruzeiro, who invited him onto a football scholarship which is based at the British International School in Phuket.

Clayton also played for FC Bangkok, representing the club in the Helsinki Cup in 2019.

“It will be nice for him to go up against western opposition more,” added Gavin. “Living in Phuket, and with Covid, he hasn’t got to travel much over the last few years.

“He’s also just been invited by Cruzeiro to the IberCup in Spain in late June, which is one of the biggest youth football tournaments. It’s been cancelled in the last few years so he’ll be going to that for one last trip with his current team.”

Gavin, who said the family are planning to move back to Cumbria soon, said Clayton has worn Carlisle United shirts to various trials and tournaments and they have a lot of affection for their home city.

Speaking to the News & Star in December, Clayton also spoke of his ambition to become a professional footballer.

He said: “If I was to play in England one day, that would be great. I want to be able to make a living by playing football.

“I would love to play for Carlisle United. That would be amazing.”