A YOUNG footballer from Pershore is being tipped for stardom after joining Aston Villa’s academy.

Jordan Cox, aged 10, was spotted by the Premiership giants playing for Pershore United 07 under nines in the Evesham Ambassador League.

His goal-scoring exploits brought him to the attention of scouts and he was snapped up by the Villa Park club.

The attacking midfielder, who is used as a striker by Villa, is a pupil at Abbey Park Middle School and spends at least two evenings a week at the club’s Bodymoor Heath training facility.

Pershore United coach Steve Cory has worked with Jordan since the player was a five-year-old and believes he is destined for greatness.

Cory said: “I have never seen a kid his age be able to do what he can with a football. He makes players look ordinary.

“He’s got the passion and dedication. He lives and breathes football. If there’s a game on Saturday he’s in bed early on Friday.

“His main contribution is the work he does to create goals, not the scoring. He will be famous without a shadow of a doubt.”