Callum Flatman has spoken on why he has chosen Hearts over Tottenham Hotspur after trials in North London.
The highly-rated teenage centre-back has signed a three-year deal with the Jambos. This comes after he spent time with Tottenham earlier this year for a trial.
He’s made the move to Neilson’s side. (Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images)
Robbie Neilson’s side offered Flatman a contract in the summer but were told he wanted to see what it was like down south as the youngster looked to impress at Tottenham.
Despite really enjoying his experience with such an elite club, Flatman has picked Hearts as the place to start his professional career with. It’s down to the first-team pathway at Tynecastle.
He sees more opportunity in getting to the Gorgie senior squad than Tottenham’s, with a roadmap through U18s and U23s football likely before getting a sniff of senior chances, on top of potential loan moves. Flatman has opened up on his time down south, explaining why Hearts is the best place for him.
A maroon man. (Photo by Ewan Bootman/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“I went down for a week’s trial at Spurs,” he said (EEN). “It was just to see what it was like down in England, get a bit more experience and see what I could learn.
“I wanted to see if I liked it and compare myself to the other boys. England is meant to be the best league in the world with all the best players. I went down and tried it but I decided on Hearts. I think this is a better club for me to progress. There is more likelihood of me getting into the first team here.
“I’ve signed a professional contract here but in England you don’t get that until you’re 18. You need to go on a scholarship, then go through under-23s, which is a long age-group when you step up from under-18s.
Lack of progression to senior football at Tottenham. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
“Only after that can you look at the first team, or possibly a loan. I thought if I stayed here I could push myself. Hopefully I can break into the first team because I’ve already played for the reserves.”