In its first year of operation, the Spanish Soccer Schools (SSS) coaching programme at Dubai Sports City has received the ultimate seal of approval with the news that one of its pupils has been taken on as a junior by French Ligue 1 club Nantes.

Nine-year-old Souphiane Ourzik, who has spent the past 12 months working with the SSS coaches, is all set to relocate with his family to France in order to pursue his dream of becoming a professional footballer.

The left-sided youngster had a trial with the top-flight French club during a family visit to France earlier this year and the deal now allows him to train at Nantes while continuing to pursue his studies.

Souphiane’s father Mohammed said he and his son owed a great deal to the work of the SSS coaches, led by Head Coach Inaki Beni.

“It was an inspiration having Inaki as coach and there were good vibes between the two. That helps,” said Mohammed. “Souphiane liked the coaching and he was getting more advice from the coaches than ever before. He was listening carefully and we found the coaching very good compared to other set-ups."

The SSS programme has been developed to enable children to control the game of football through maximum ball possession while, at the same time, emphasising the importance of enjoyment.

The coaches have been hand-picked by former Real Madrid and Spain legend Michel Salgado, part of his country’s squad at the FIFA World Cup in 2006, who is Director of Football at Dubai Sports City.

Souphiane was born in California but his father is French-Moroccan and his mother is from the Brittany region of France, with the family having lived in Dubai for the past two years.

He originally arrived at the SSS programme tagging along with his older brother Yaccine but as soon as he started kicking the ball around on the sidelines with Miguel Salgado, Michel’s son, the coaches immediately sat up and took notice.

“Souphiane came along with Yaccine at the beginning of the season and Michel and I were straight away talking about him – we liked him,” said Inaki Beni.

“He came to us and when we went to Spain to play a tournament earlier this year he did really well.

“He is a player with a lot of potential. His techniques have improved and although tactically he has to develop a lot, he is nine so he has got time.

“In France the competition will be stronger and that will help him improve but it is a great example to all the young players here, a lot of them with real potential, of what is possible.

Salgado commented on the news: “Souphiane is just starting out on a long journey and there is no guarantee of success but the fact he is now in this position is great credit not only to him and his family but also to the Spanish Soccer School coaches who have been superb this year”

Yaccine, five years older than Souphiane, also trialed with Nantes and although he was not taken on, he will continue to train and play at a feeder club, with Nantes likely to monitor his development over the coming year.