A PROMISING football star from Bicester is set to cross the Atlantic in the pursuit of his dream to play the sport at the highest level.

Oxford United Academy star Jordan Wheatley has been offered a scholarship at William Penn University in Iowa, United States.

The 17-year-old right-winger will spend the next four years studying business and representing the university as a full-time football player with his tuition, accommodation, meals and books paid for.

He said: "I feel a bit nervous but mainly excited, it is a new thing to do.

"I hope that if it goes well there will be a career in professional football down the line.

"I have got more of a chance over there than I would here because they have better facilities."

Jordan, a former pupil at The Marlborough School in Woodstock, worked with sports scholarship consultancy United Sports USA to apply for the scholarships.

He then took part in trial days before being offered places by half a dozen American universities.

He said: "We did a trial in London and one in Scotland.

"I was fairly confident because I had played well in the trials, even though I only did three because I was injured.

"I will head out in August for pre-season and I am really looking forward to it."

When Jordan departs for the United States he will leave behind his mum Lorraine, dad Chris and big sister Roxane, 20.

Mrs Wheatley said she was delighted her son had the chance to pursue his dream by taking up the scholarship.

The 51-year-old said: "Every stage you go through in the process you cannot quite believe it.

"When he got the offers we had to make the selection of which one was right for him.

"Now his flight is booked it has become real.

"I am very proud but also a little scared because it is a huge jump when you have to stand at the gates of the airport and watch your son go."

United Sports USA helps sporting talents such as Jordan to apply for scholarships in sports ranging from golf, to swimming and football to track and field.

So far people who have gone through the consultancy have ended up at universities at 41 American states.

Mrs Wheatley said more should to be done to keep talent like her son playing in England rather than going abroad.

She said: "You want to make sure your child gets every dream or aspiration they want and I am very excited for him.

"There is a lot of young talent in this country but they just do not get the opportunities.

"A lot of our clubs across England are bringing people in from across the world but they do not appreciate the talent they have right here."

To find out more about United Sports USA visit unitedsportsusa.com