AFC Bournemouth
Nathan Moriah-Welsh will lead the youth team in the new season, after the midfielder was named as the side's captain.
Hailing from west London, Moriah-Welsh previously played in the youth systems at Chelsea, Brentford and Reading and has seized his chance with the Cherries since arriving with the club just over a year ago, while living away from home for the first time.
The midfielder, who in recent weeks has trained with the first team and traveled to Spain with the under-21s for their training camp, will be working alongside vice captains Harvey Bertrand and Christian Saydee in 2019/20.
As a first year, Moriah-Welsh was an important player last season as the youth team made history by reaching the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 1969.
The teenager explained how he found out about his important new role: "I was going away with the under-21s last week and Alan pulled me aside as we were leaving and said I'd be the captain of the youth team for the new season.
"I was pretty excited, last season I captained the side a few times when the second years weren't around. They were good experiences for me and to be named permanently this season is really good.
"Within the first month of moving to Bournemouth I felt at home, my digs lady really helped me settle in and make here feel like a place I'd like to belong to. Bournemouth is a place I'd like to stay in for as long as possible now.
What A Night, Proud of the boys!! Quality performance for my brother @csaydee101 . That’s what it meant to us ❤️ pic.twitter.com/izOdqB61Ns
— Nathan Moriah-Welsh 🇬🇾 (@nmoriahwelsh) February 2, 2019
"As captain I'm going to try and find the right balance of enthusiasm and criticism. Sometimes it's not so much about being bossy but leading the way and showing the right way to do things; being a leader on and off the pitch and making sure that the others know that I believe in them - which I 100% do - and that anything is possible this season.
"My aim is to win as much as possible and for me personally to win a pro contract, but with the team I just want to win games and progress."
Under-18s manager Alan Connell explained his thinking behind bestowing the leadership role on Moriah-Welsh.
"Nathan will be captain this year," he told afcb.co.uk. "He played a lot of football last year, did well and became an important player in his first year, which doesn't always happen.
"His ability comes from his obsession to be the best that he can be, that along with his drive are the reasons I chose Nathan. More importantly, I think it's something he wanted to do and it will enhance his game and develop his character, channeling his strengths in the right way."
