osh Smile believes ‘the sky’s the limit’ after signing his first professional terms with Fulham.
The 17-year-old midfielder, from Marston, recently put pen to paper on a two-year deal with the Sky Bet Championship side and is now looking to break into the first team at Craven Cottage.
“I think I’ve got a good chance, maybe towards the end of the season, if the club can secure mid-table,” he said.
“And if not then I’ll maybe try and go out on loan and from there maybe come back and see if I can get a chance.
“I’d like to see myself in the Championship, maybe even the Premier League, and be in and around the first team.”
Smile spent his formative years playing for Northway and Marston Saints in the Oxford Mail Boys League before joining the Oxford United Centre of Excellence.
He joined Fulham three years ago after being spotted by former U’s youth development officer Malcolm Elias, but retains strong links with the area.
“I was born at the JR, I live in Marston with my nan, and my mum and dad live in Headington,” he said.
“For me it all started with Northway and then it all took off from there really.”
And although Smile’s main priority now is impressing for Fulham in the Barclays Under 21 Premier League, he’s not ruling out a return to the area in the future.
“I would definitely want to go there (Oxford) on loan,” he said.
“I’d love to do that, because obviously it’s the club I’ve come from.
“But it’s a great level at under 21, because you don’t know who’s there watching.
“There are lower level clubs looking for players to come and help them, the first team manager could be watching and he might like you.
“Then the next thing you know you’re training with the first team and a few days later you might travel, you just don’t know what can happen in a short period of time. It’s crazy.”
