India's Brandon Fernandes undergoes trials at Reading, Leicester

Brandon Fernandes’ rise to prominence in the last few weeks has been remarkable. The 18-year-old Indian footballer, who has been training at ASD (Africa Soccer Development) Cape Town for a couple of years first bagged a trial at English Premier League club Reading and is now on trial with Leicester City.

“From what I hear, Leicester City are a great club and they focus on development. They have been really welcoming and I already feel at home. I’m really looking forward to focussing on my football,” Brandon was quoted as saying in a Goal.com report.

Brandon is in Leicester after his trials at Reading.

Brandon has played for India U-19 and was first spotted at a soccer skills competition in 2009. And for a country which has been craving too long to see one of their players play in the most popular league in the world, the former Salgaocar player is shouldering immense hopes.

The trial at Reading was good according to his mentor Mike Steptoe (who oversaw his development as ASD Cape Town), and while they make a decision on him, Brandon got invited by Leicester City.

“Brandon had a great time at Reading and was made extremely welcome by the club. He trained and played with the development squad and reports have been very encouraging. He played in one game ‘behind closed doors’ and managed two assists as his side scored 3 goals. We understand that Reading are interested in Brandon and will be making a decision in the next few days,” Steptoe told Goal.com.

Leicester City currently play in the Championship — which is the second tier of English football. They are 2nd in the table and in line for automatic promotion to the Premier League if they maintain their position.

Reading, meanwhile, were promoted to the EPL last year and it will be a massive step for Indian football if the club snap up the young midfielder.