SAINTS’ PUL ON £58M STAR!
CHRISTIAN PULISIC became Chelsea’s new £58 million man from Borussia Dortmund this week – but the move might never have been possible without the influence of Brackley Town.
The 20-year-old became the most expensive player ever to emerge from the United States having led Dortmund’s title charge in the Bundesliga.
But the midfielder, who has already made over 100 appearances for The BVB, owes some of his success to the National League North Saints.
Pulisic was born in Pennsylvania and was six years old when his mother Kelley received a teaching exchange scholarship to work in England.
Her husband Mark took Christian to local club Brackley in Northamptonshire, where his love for football blossomed.
“It's a big reason where I am today,” Pulisic told the
Daily Mail in 2016. “A lot of people don't realise but it really brought on my passion for the game. After school every day, I was just out for hours in the park, playing with my schoolmates. That's really where my love for the game started to come alive and that was a big part of my development.”
Dad Mark told The Guardian: “It was only one year, but it you look back it was what propelled him into playing the game. The coach, Robin Walker, was a real influence, and we’re still friends to this day.
“Christian went to play in tournaments and really fell in love, became obsessed with the sport.”