Fulham fight off Wolves in race to sign Shrimpers youth

Last updated : 09 August 2011 By westfield shrimper

Lyle Della-Verde; another Shrimpers starlet set to move

It would be blow but not surprising if the Shrimpers exciting teen winger Lyle Della-Verde, was to move before the club could get his signature on to a first professional contract.

And it's been reported that Premiership side Fulham lead another top tier side in Wolves to get the youngster to sign a deal away from south-east Essex.

Presently signed only on a Shimpers scholarship he has worked with Head of Youth Ricky Duncan since being released by Tottenham Hotspur and joining the club's Centre of Excellence as a 12-year-old after being spotted at an open trial.

Della-Verde certainly left his mark with several strong displays in the young Shrimpers march to the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup last season, while he also scored against both Wolves and Norwich City in the recent Cars4All Trophy at Roots Hall which the under-18 side won brilliantly. 

Blues boss Paul Sturrock has handed Della-Verde a place on the first-team bench on three occasions with the view to handing him a pro contract but it looks as if Cottagers manager Martin Jol is going to jump ahead of the queue.

If he leaves Lyle will join Medi Abalimba, Femi Orenuga, Dominic Iorfa and Michael Ngoo on all leaving the youth ranks to try their luck at a higher level.

Shrimpers sign Lyle on a scholarship: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk

We are the Champions my friend: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk