Aston Villa have persuaded highly-rated teenager Easah Suliman to sign his first professional contract with the club despite interest from elsewhere.
The 16-year-old, who can play across the defence and in midfield, was apparently on the radar of Valencia and Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.
Birmingham-born Suliman has been with Villa since the age of eight and has now put pen to paper on a two-year deal with the Premier League side.
Academy director Sean Kimberley told the club's official website: "We're delighted that Easah has signed his first professional contract with the club. Easah has been at the club through his foundation years at junior school and he's a Birmingham lad who's come through the local recruitment process.
"We've been able to develop young, local players over the years and it's great that we can continue to do that with Easah. He's going away with England U17s next month and he's continuing to make good progress both with them and here at Villa. He's at the start of his career now and everything is in front of him.
"The key for him now is to continue to work hard, to maintain the same excellent attitude he has displayed so far and to continue to learn from his coaches. Having fought off competition from home and abroad for his signature, everyone here at Villa will help him get the most out of his abilities and we're excited to work with him in the coming years."
Suliman, who has captained England at youth level, represented Villa in both the Barclays U18 Premier League and the FA Youth Cup, where Bayern scouts were believed to be watching him, last season.
Joe Fish
