City player lifts World Cup!

Our academy prospect Frédéric Veseli this evening captained Switzerland to the FIFA Under-17's World Cup in Nigeria after they beat the hosts by one goal to nil infront of over 60,000 people at the Abuja National Stadium. Described as 'a steely defensive effort' it marks the Swiss' first major world tournament victory at any age-group.

The centre-half, signed from Lausanne Sport in 2006, had a lively tournament, missing the semi-final victory over Columbia after a red card in the previous round's win against the Italians. Picking up a booking in every other game bar one it certainly sounds like he puts himself about!

The Swiss squad, also featuring players from Aston Villa and Arsenal in goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist and Freddie's defensive colleague Sead Hajrović, beat Brazil, Germany, and as mentioned, the Italians en route to picking up the trophy. They were also involved in two seven-goal thrillers.

Other English-based players to take part were adopted Merseysiders Shkodran Mustafi (Everton) and Christopher Buchtmann (Liverpool), both of Germany, Dutch captain Oguzhan Özyakup (Arsenal), Turkish duo Deniz Mehmet (West Ham) and Kamil Çörekçi (Millwall), Northampton's Kiwi midfielder Michael Built, his compatriot Cameron Lindsay (Blackburn), and Will Packwood of Birmingham and the USA.

Let's hope this idea of our players holding shiny pots aloft becomes a bit more common!