TEENAGE football talent Carly Telford has been snapped up by an American university.

Goalkeeper Carly, of Stanley, has won a four-year, all-expenses scholarship to Fayetteville University in Arkansas, where she will study athletics and play for the university's team.

Carly, 17, who plays for Sunderland Ladies, is hoping that the trip could lead to a career in the professional women's game on the other side of the Atlantic.

The Newcastle fan was bitten by the footballing bug when she was seven and used to watch her dad Colin play in Sunday league matches.

She played for Tanfield Comprehensive School but started as a winger. Carly, who is 5ft 9in, only became a goalkeeper by a fluke.

She said: "I didn't play in goal until I was 13. I went for trials with Chester-le-Street Ladies and I had a thick goalkeeper's top on because it was so cold and I was freezing. They asked me if I was a keeper and I said 'no' but they said they didn't have a goalkeeper and I thought I might as well give it a go. I've been a goalkeeper ever since."

She was spotted by Sunderland a year later and has played internationals for England's under-17, under-19 and under-21 sides.

Carly, who is studying for a BTec in sports and science at Gateshead College, said: I have always wanted to go to America. It has been my dream.''

"They have a professional league for women and when I finish my degree I could play for a team out there." She hopes to be picked for England's under-19 squad that will play in the European championships next month.

She has been cheering on the England women's adult team that are competing in the championships.

Durham County Council is a big supporter of female football and Carly and Coun Edna Hunter, the council's vice-chairman, showed their support for the team by raising the flag of St George at County Hall.

Coun Hunter said: "We're very proud of Carly's success.

"As an up-and-coming County Durham sportswoman, we could think of no-one more fitting to present us with a flag to fly on this occasion."