Manchester United have handed Wayne Rooney's eldest son, Kai, an extraordinary opportunity by selecting him for their Under-19 squad competing in Croatia.
The 15-year-old striker will participate in the Mladen Ramljak Tournament, jumping up three age categories to play.
This unexpected promotion arrives following the youngster's stellar displays at the recent Super Cup NI in Northern Ireland.
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The teenager's performances caught the attention of United's academy coaches, who have rewarded him with a place amongst players up to four years his senior.
The decision reflects the club's confidence in the young forward's potential and development trajectory.
Kai demonstrated his capabilities during United's journey to the Super Cup NI final, where he netted in their opening fixture and provided an assist.
The competition saw the Red Devils' Under-16 side progress unbeaten through the group stage.
Despite ultimately falling 1-0 to Southampton in Sunday's final at Coleraine Showgrounds, the teenager's contributions throughout the tournament proved decisive.
His proud parents Wayne and Coleen watched from the stands as their son competed against his age group.
The youngster can operate centrally or on the flanks, similar to his father.
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The Mladen Ramljak Memorial in Zagreb represents one of Europe's premier youth competitions, having previously showcased talents including Luka Modric and Eduardo Camavinga.
United face tough opposition in Group A, with matches against Juventus, Dinamo Zagreb and Rapid Bucuresti, with their campaign commencing today against the Romanian outfit.
Group B features equally prestigious academies including Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica, Bologna and Shakhtar Donetsk.
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The tournament concludes on Sunday with placement fixtures and a final between the group winners.
Kai joined United's academy system in 2020 aged 11 and has progressed steadily through the ranks.
His father maintains a measured approach to his son's development, recently stating: "He just plays, that's what he's always done. It's unfair to expect too much he's only 15. But he handles the pressure of his surname very well."
Academy staff have highlighted the youngster's composure, intelligent movement and finishing ability.
Following the tournament announcement, an excited Kai shared an Instagram story from his Croatian accommodation, captioning it: "19s tournament soon."
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