Glentoran Academy graduate Matthew Carson has hit the ground running at Southampton, according to the Saints scout who spotted his talent at the Oval.
Southampton's Northern Ireland representative Neil Kelly has been keeping a watchful eye on the 16-year-old defender since his move to St Mary's two weeks ago.
Carson, who hails from Larne, recently joined up with the Premier League club and has been training with the Under 18 squad ahead of the new season.
"Matty's stats during the early training sessions with Southampton have been phenomenal," Kelly told Belfast Live Sport.
"His stamina has always been a big asset. He is a left-back with a fantastic engine, and he is also very good technically.
"In the two weeks he has been with Southampton his stats have been above some of the other kids there.
"They are training in small pods at the minute because of Covid-19 safety measures. In Matty's group there are just two first-year recruits, the rest are mainly Under 23 players.
"Matty is only 16 so he is still very young, but he has really stepped up to the mark."
Carson went on trial with Southampton in November last year and made an instant impression with the Saints' academy coaches.
And it wasn't long before a deal was done to sign the Glens youngster up on an initial scholarship contract.
"They liked what they saw immediately with Matty," Kelly added.
"For me, he is one of the top young players in Northern Ireland, and he has a very bright future ahead of him.
"The time he went on trial he played for Southampton against Liverpool in an underage game. It was against top, top opposition but he did really well.
"And he earned himself a contract out of it."
Kelly added: "Matty ticks every box. His football ability speaks for itself, but he has the right temperament and attitude. And that goes a long way.
"I watch a lot of these players from a very young age, from about 12 years or so. I see how they are developing physically and mentally.
"I have to take into account not only their football talents, but their strength of character and mental approach.
"Matty just has so many strengths and no weaknesses."
And Kelly believes the young defender is at the "perfect club" to continue his fledgling career.
"Southampton have invested a lot in young players. You only have to look at the some of the players Ralph Hasenhuttl has put his faith in.
"He likes young players, and there is a pathway at Southampton for any young player to progress to the first team.
"That's where I see Matty in the years to come, following that pathway to Southampton's first team."
Kelly believes Carson's move to a Premier League club speaks volumes to the talent Northern Ireland is currently producing.
The teenager is one of several young players to have made the move from these shores to clubs in England and Scotland.
"It is a lot harder for young players these days," he added.
"Back in my day clubs were signing players based in the UK, now there are young kids arriving from all over Europe.
"There is far more competition these days, so for Matty and the other Northern Ireland lads to earn moves across the water is brilliant."
