LIVINGSTON SCOTT, STAR Writer

Though several Europeans clubs were keen to acquire talented Phoenix Academy footballer, Leon Bailey, the 17-year-old's father and Phoenix Academy CEO, Craig Butler, said the reason they chose Slovakian premier division club, FK AS Trencin, was because they both believe it is the best place to continue his development.

Bailey and his brother, Kyle, were signed by Trencin in November. They will start official training in a few weeks. Their contracts will run until the end of 2017.

On the club's official website, general manager, Robert Rybnicek, said they were delighted to have the players.

"We are very happy that we managed to bring to our club two great football talents. We can compare them to two unpolished diamonds. We believe that in AS Trencin shirts Leon and Kyle will continue their progress and development," the statement read.

Bailey expects Trencin will provide him with the ideal training and opportunity to play first team football at a high level in a competitive European league.

"I chose Trencin not because they are associated with Ajax but because of the work they put in their (system) all the way through. That is where I want to be now experiencing first team football on a big pitch, in a big league."

According to Butler, a number of top clubs were more than eager to sign the left-footed attacker, but most of those clubs just wanted his signature and they wanted more.

With Bailey being the poster boy for the academy, Butler insists that the clubs forged partnerships with Phoenix to give other players from his academy the same chance to develop and play professionally.

The talented youngster said his experience in Europe taught him a lot and made him much more prepared for the experience he is now about to face at Trencin.

"I've learnt so much about football and about life," he said.

He was very disappointed at being left out of the recent under-20 squad that failed to qualify for the World Cup, but he has been called to the under-23s and is eager for the opportunity to show the public his qualities.

"I have always wanted to represent Jamaica. I was shocked when I wasn't called to the under-20 squad, but I wasn't in Jamaica at the time so they contacted me late."

"Now I'm in under-23s, I just want to represent to the best of my ability," he said.