The youngster has been in the club's academy for almost three years

An English teenage footballer is hoping to secure a contract with AC Milan in the next few weeks, having already spent the best part of three years at the Italian club’s academy.

Marcello Jones, born in Cornwall, was 14 when he attended a Milan summer training camp his half-Italian mother had treated him to for his birthday.

At the end of the camp Milan’s academy director asked him if he wanted to stay, the club offering him an education as well as accommodation with their other academy players.

Marcello Jones is hoping to secure a contract with AC Milan in the next few weeks following

Jones, born in Cornwall, was 14 when he attended a Milan summer training camp for his birthday

In the end Jones and his mother opted to send him to an English-speaking international school, even though he is now fluent in Italian. He also now lives with his aunt in the city.

But in three seasons, as a player who describes himself as ‘a number 10’, Jones has represented Milan in international tournaments against Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City and Arsenal.

‘The highlight has probably been playing those teams at a tournament in Qatar for the last two years,’ says Jones.

‘I got injured before the start of the first tournament but it was a great experience. The second year I got more game time.’

The 16-year-old’s rise is not exactly an accident. Living in Cornwall with his mother – Louise is a gallery owner – his options were limited.

At 10 he spent a season training with Plymouth Argyle, before spending two years training at a Southampton satellite centre at Bath University.

At the end of the camp Milan’s academy director asked him if he wanted to stay with their academy player

The club offered him an education as well as accommodation with their other academy players

He also secured a football scholarship at Millfield, the independent school famous for producing a number of leading sports stars.

‘Southampton actually rejected me after two years because they said I was too small,’ he said. ‘But I’m around 5ft 10in now.

‘Filippo Galli, the academy director, asked me to stay in Milan after watching me play in the summer camp. And it’s been brilliant being here.

At 10 he spent a season training with Plymouth Argyle, before training at Southampton satellite centre

Southampton rejected the youngster when he was younger because he was deemed too small

'Filippo Inzaghi is now the manager of the first team at Milan but when I first came here he was coaching my squad in the academy. It was great to learn from someone of his stature. He has so much passion.’

Jones’s progress is being monitored. Conversations between his parents and Football Association staff have taken place already and a representative from the Welsh FA has been out to watch him in action.

‘I have a grandfather who is Welsh,’ he explained. ‘Personally I feel English, even though there is an Italian side to the family too.’

Jones has been playing mainly for Milan’s under 17s side but netted in a recent appearance for the under 18s

Jones has been playing mainly for Milan’s under 17s side, although in a recent appearance for the under 18s he scored.

Now it is simply a case of waiting to discover if he will be handed a professional contract, having spent the last three years training after school. ‘We train from 3.30pm to 5.30pm, Tuesday to Friday,’ he said.

‘I just have to wait and see if the club want me to stay on now. I’d very much like to still be here next season.’

Jones has represented Milan in international tournaments against Real Madrid, Barcelona and Arsenal