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Under-18s

Boutin ready to stand out

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AFC Bournemouth AFC Bournemouth

With his unique hair, Noa Boutin stands out. Now, the under-18 player is looking to make sure he also catches your attention on the pitch.

The Paris-born left-back signed for AFC Bournemouth in January and is adjusting to life in England on and off the pitch.

Arriving from France without speaking much English, Boutin is quickly picking up the language and adapting to the culture, as well as increasingly fitting in with the Cherries' footballing philosophy when lacing up his boots.

The Frenchman, who turned 17 in September, spoke to afcb.co.uk about his development, expressing himself in his blossoming second language. 

"I started to learn English in July," he started. "I have English lessons on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday - not on Friday because I need to be ready for Saturday's game!

"Before, when I came, it was hard because I left my family, my little brother and my sister, so that was hard.

"But I think this is the first step for me to become a professional footballer. In England, I have more opportunities to become a professional, because if I do well I can train with the first team, in France it is harder to do that."

Boutin joined the Cherries after a successful trial, also spending time training with Stoke City, Birmingham City and West Brom as he crossed the channel looking to play for an English side having not been attached with a major club in his homeland.

The left-back put in an eye-catching performance on a heavy pitch at Plymouth last Wednesday, his first start for the youth team after returning from a month-long groin injury.

His dynamic dribbling and directness were in clear evidence in the Youth Alliance Cup win over Argyle and it was a showing the teenager was pleased with. 

"For my performance I am happy, because I was injured for one month before. It was a good team performance and we won," he said.

"I think my first priorities are that I'm strong, quick and I have power, those are my strengths. 

"I still need to improve, I can get better with my scanning, my first touch, those are the main two.

"Now I am very excited, I'm very happy to sign here and be here and I am excited about the future.

"It's good being here, the level in England is very high. I like that, and in this team we have a lot of good players and I like that and the way Bournemouth play football."

Meanwhile, Cherries' FA Youth Cup third round clash against Exeter City will take place at St James Park on 2nd December (7pm kick-off).

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