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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Shaun Keenan

Watch the NI schoolboy impressing Premier League star with his 'silky' football skills

George Best - Northern Ireland's greatest ever football star - isn't the only Best boy making a name for himself.

Jackson Best, 10, from Bangor, Co Down has been brandishing his skills online impressing an English Premier League star in the process.

The young man, who is an avid Manchester United fan, won Yannick Bolasie's 'Take the Stage' challenge on Instagram on Tuesday.

Bolasie, who plays for Premier League side Everton, has been posting a series of videos online giving football enthusiasts the chance to win an exclusive pair of football boots.

And while Jackson had stiff competition, Bolasie was clearly impressed with the Co Down schoolboy, saying "someone has done their homework" during the 30-second challenge.

The Everton forward added: "Absolute joy to watch, so smooth and silky with his feet. What a player, sign him up Man United.

"That was fire man, thanks for coming on."

Jackson's mother, Claire, said football has been the youngster's passion from a very young age.

She added: "He has always trained and is constantly trying to improve by teaching himself new skills and tricks, this is the norm for him.

"However, since lockdown began, he has upped his training, always in the back garden, rain or shine, practicing for hours.

"Having to stay indoors has opened up a world of opportunity for him through online sessions, access to players and coaches from across the world and getting creative with his football.

"His fitness and ball mastery skills have improved massively because of the hours he pours into it daily."

When asked how he felt performing the challenge, Jackson told Belfast Live: "I was a little nervous at the start but once I got into it, the nerves went away.

"I was so excited to get the opportunity to show what I can do and to be able to actually speak to a professional footballer and get encouraged by him was amazing."

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