SHELVEY SET FOR LIVERPOOL MOVE

By david arnold sport@gazettenews.co.uk

FOOTBALL starlet Jonjo Shelvey is said to be "living his dream" after signing a pre-contract agreement with Premiership giants Liverpool.

But the 18-year-old midfielder from Hook End, Doddinghurst, has to wait until May 10 to officially become a Red, as the £1.7million rising to £3million move from Charlton Athletic can't go through until then because of Premier League rules.

It is thought the England Under-17 International, who went to Brentwood County High, turned down moves to Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur before settling on Anfield – even though he is a ardent West Ham United fan.

Brother George Shelvey, 19, said: "I think he's living his dream with all of this.

"When he was younger it was just stupid the amount of goals he would score, I think he scored 70 odd one year.

"It's true that he's a West Ham fan, always has been, but he really admires Stephen Gerrard."

Shelvey has stated his intention to play with Gerrard before, and said last year: "I've mirrored my game on Steven Gerrard – I love him to bits, everything about him, from the way he walks to the way he plays his football.

"I want to have played with him and against him by the time I've finished my career. That's my dream."

Shelvey became Charlton's youngest ever player when he made his debut aged 16 years and 59 days in April 2008 and he also became the club's youngest ever goalscorer later that season.

But his talent had been spotted a lot earlier.

As a youngster Shelvey played his first full year of football at Byron Red Star in Dagenham, the club which produced stellar names such as Clive Allen and Steve Mackenzie.

Coach Norman French, 73, says his enduring memory of the seven year-old was his blond locks, which went just months afterwards when it was discovered he had contracted Alopecia.

"I remember him when he had flowing golden hair," he said.

"He was quite a quiet boy but on the field he used to explode. I remember his dad brought him and his brother over and they were just banging them in.

"We always thought he was going to make it, I'm so pleased for him he can do whatever he wants now, I'd like to think he could play for England."

Shelvey then moved on to academies at Arsenal and West Ham before joining his father Ricki's team Harold Hill and at aged 12 he signed up for Charlton Athletic's academy.

Despite living in Romford, Shelvey attended Brentwood County High until he was 16 and despite his obvious footballing prowess he didn't always have his shooting boots on.

"I don't know why he is so good he broke two of our kitchen windows when he was aiming for the goal!" says his former Maths teacher Carol Mason.

"I have no idea how he did it because they used to play on an old tennis court which had a net around it.

"It was miles away from the kitchen but he smashed the window, twice – he caused us a few headaches with that but in a nice way.

"We are very proud of him and wish him all the luck in the world, he is a very nice and often comes back to say 'hello'. I hope he uses his time and money wisely."

New rules from next season mean teams in the Premier League have to field a minimum of eight home grown players in their squad of 25 .

Shelvey will undoubtedly help Liverpool with their quota and manager Rafa Benitez says the signing is part of their long-term plan. He said: "Shelvey is one of these who can feel what Liverpool means and we have two or three names ready so we will try to do the best for the club."