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George follows in Beckham's footsteps
A talented teenager is bidding to become the new David Beckham after signing up to US team LA Galaxy.
When PNE fan George Slater, 16, left his family behind in Fulwood and moved to America he never dreamed he would end up playing football for the famous team.
But now he has not only gained a coveted place on the youth team, but taken tips from Becks himself.
George said the former England captain talked about how his time at Preston North End helped shape his career.
He said: "I was in the changing room after LA Galaxy won and Beckham was there.
"I talked to him about his days at Preston and he said he really enjoyed it and I asked him if he would ever go back – he said it was unlikely."
After finishing his GCSEs at Corpus Christi Catholic Sports and Technology College, George left his family and moved to Calabasas in California, to start a new life with American relatives.
He enrolled at college after his arrival in August and joined the football team.
His coach soon spotted his talents as a central defender and put him in touch with David Beckham's club Los Angeles Galaxy. Now, after six years playing for Cadley Boys in Preston's Sunday league, he is a key part of the LA Galaxy youth team.
He said: "I was aiming to go to school and see what the life was like over there.
"I wanted a new experience, so I was going over thinking 'I am done with football because they do not play much in America'.
"But I have been playing a lot of pre-seasons, we have won two and drawn one.
"I have been to Phoenix, Washington and there is a trip to England planned in April. I am the only English player there and they all seem to have a lot of respect for me."
George returned to his family home in Victoria Road, Fulwood, to spend Christmas with his parents and three brothers but returns to America on Monday, January 4.
His mum Lucy, 42, said his former school played a big part in his success. She said: "He got good exam results, they were mostly As and some Bs and without that he would not be at the school (in America).
"He appreciates the teaching at Corpus Christi."
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Weather for Preston
Tuesday 07 February 2012
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