A TEENAGE footballer from Afghanistan is hoping to score a place at an academy in the near future after adapting to life well in Barnsley.

Behzad Hussaini, 17, was born in Afghanistan and started playing futsal - a sport played on a hard court - aged 12 due to the lack of football pitches in his home country.

He learned the basics of the sport and was taken by it, becoming a big fan of Manchester United.

Unfortunately he had to take a year out of football after being diagnosed with Osgood-Schlatter disease - a painful swelling and inflammation of a tendon below the knee.

But after his family moved to Pakistan, Behzad joined a football academy and his sporting journey has snowballed from there.

He and his family moved to the UK last year - and after a three-month spell in Crawley, Behzad moved to Penistone where he now resides.

But he admits it has been difficult at times.

He told the Chronicle: “It was really hard for me at first.

“I didn’t really know anyone when I first came.

“I was just trying to get in contact with as many people as possible.

“But when you’re surrounded by people who have the same goals as you, you know you’re in the right place.”

He didn’t manage to secure a spot in any team when he first arrived, but after training on his own for a number of months he managed to get a place in Sunday League for The Ship.

Behzad now players for Barnsley College under 19s and Penistone Church under 18s, while studying for his English and maths GCSEs at the college.

“I got signed for a Sunday League men’s team The Ship,” he said.

“After that I started going to Barnsley College and I have a place there now in the team.

“I also play for Penistone Church.

“I’m really enjoying playing football.

“At the college I get to play in other cities like Leeds and Newcastle.

“It’s a good way to reach out to other people.”

And Behzad, who has been nominated in this year’s Young Champions awards, has one main aim.

“I really want to play for an academy,” he added.

“I started going to Reds Unite - a refugee team - so I’m hoping that will help me move forward.”