YOUNG footballer James Pounder is heading for the US after being signed up by a university there.

James, 18, of Houghton-le-Spring, who plays at centre-half for Durham Sixth Centre, where he is studying A-levels, has won a scholarship to the University of Columbia in Manhattan.

He will spend four years there, doing a degree in either history or economics, playing in the university's football side and coaching his team-mates.

James was part of the side that won the Durham County Senior Schools Knock-out Cup, beating Whickham Sports College, Gateshead, 3-0 at Durham City's Archibald Stadium.

The school has won the trophy ten times in the past 15 years and this season also reached the last 16 of the English schools competition.

James has played for the county FA and county youth sides and was called up for trials with the English schoolboys, which he could not attend because of injury.

The offer came about through the university's links with the centre's head of student recruitment and the team's manager, Norman Ferguson.

Mr Ferguson, who said he was delighted at the team's success, said the sixth form centre had built up a good reputation for football that was one of the reasons some students chose to study there.

"James is an excellent player and he has an excellent character, too, which is most important if someone is going to be living over there for four years."

James said he was looking forward to studying in the US. He said: "I have seen the Americans play football and they are not bad, but not as good as us.

"I can't wait to go. I went there for two weeks ago for five days. I met the team and some of the students and they all knew about me."

He said: "I have only come on as a footballer since I have been at the centre for the last two seasons."