Camden Sports - by STEVE BARNETT Published: 16 April 2009
Wing wizard: Keanu nets a two-year deal with Championship side
WING wizard Keanu Williams has vowed to “keep his eye on the ball” after signing a two-year schoolboy contract with Watford. The Holloway youngster has impressed coaches at the Championship side so much over the past six months that the club could not wait to offer him a new long-term deal.
Keanu joined Watford in November after being spotted playing for the Pro Touch Soccer Academy, which helps disadvantaged players from across Camden and Islington to fulfil the dream of becoming professional footballers.
The versatile 12-year-old has proved an instant success since joining Watford’s youth academy, scoring four goals in just 12 appearances. Although preferring to take to the pitch as a striker, Keanu has been playing on the wing, where he has still managed to find the back of the net against Fulham, West Ham and Birmingham. He also scored against Ipswich, a goal that was greeted with mixed emotions when he got home. “My mum wasn’t too happy because she originally comes from Ipswich and supports the club, but she forgave me,” Keanu joked.
Despite the delight of his new deal, signed on Friday and which keeps him at Watford until April 2011, Keanu is refusing to get carried a way. “I’m delighted to have been offered the contract. The past six months have been tough, but also very exciting. I’ve enjoyed getting to know my team-mates and have settled into the team really well. “I know that this is only the beginning, and that I’m going to have to keep on working hard both on and off the pitch if I’m going to make the most of the chance I’ve been given. “I’m going to keep focusing on becoming a better player and hopefully I can continue to impress the coaches and prove to them that I’m worth my place at the club.”