Former Sunderland under-18 goalkeeper Greg Purvis has revealed he is looking forward to heading to America, having graduated from the Academy of Light.
Northumberland-born Purvis started at the Academy of Light as an under-13, making his youth team debut during the 2013-14 season in a 3-2 victory over Manchester United.
After rising through the ranks, Purvis managed to force his way into the periphery of the under-21s, but unfortunately the club opted against keeping him on and that forced the stopper to reassess his options.
Speaking to safc.com Purvis has revealed that while he is disappointed to see him time at Sunderland come to an end, he is excited about the challenge that lies ahead across the pond at Limestone College, a private University in Gaffney, South Carolina.
“When I first got released, straight away they mentioned that America was an option,” he said. “I still wanted to trial in England but nothing appealed to me that I could have had, so I made the decision to go over and everyone supported what I was doing which was really good.
“I’ve seen photos of it and the manager I’ve been talking to speaks very highly of it, so it’s a good environment to go into and I am excited.”
Looking back on his time at the Academy, Purvis emphasised the importance of balancing education and football, his dedication to which has secured this next phase in his development.
“You’ve got to mature quicker than your friends because you’re in an environment where it is professional straight away. You can’t compare anything else to it.
"The work we do here at the college, they push you because they know you need to have a pathway, and luckily enough I listened and have this opportunity because of the way I worked."
He continued: “It made me. At first I was probably quite shy, but I have come out my shell and am a completely different person.
"Hopefully I can take the way I have changed here over there, starting this new chapter.”