Fleetwood Town International Football Academy graduate Keito Lipovschek has joined up with our sister club in Dubai, Fleetwood United, on a first-year professional contract.
Born in Canada, Lipovschek came over to England to join up with FTIFA as a first-year sixth-form student – aged 17 – on a full-time Football and Education Programme, after having a successful trial at the Talent ID camp in Ancaster, Toronto.
Due to him being in the Football and Education Programme, he spent his time at the nationally accredited Rossall School and quickly became one of the highest-performing players over his 18-month period there.
The Canadian goal scorer proved to have a great mentality and desire to improve as a player and his success at the Schoolboy Level was recognised as he represented the National Independent Schools Association (ISFA) at Under-17s and Under-18s levels.
After netting a hat-trick on his debut with ISFA, he then went on to spend the next 18 months representing ISFA against various Category 1 and 2 academies.
The club’s International Sales and Partnerships Manager James Ward said: “It’s been some story for Keito; we came across the young talented Canadian at a Talent ID event back in 2019 and, since then, he has been under the FTIFA and Rossall School development programmes and has excelled year on year.
“It is a perfect fit for him now to come to Fleetwood United in Dubai and continue his growth as a player and person - he has earned his first-year professional contract with us, and we are excited to have him within the squad for 2023/24 season.”
Town's current Academy Head of Coaching, Ash Moreau, who worked with Keito in his previous role as Fleetwood Town International Studies Lead Phase Coach, added: “It’s been great to see Keito’s progression from when he first arrived in the International Football Academy setup from Canada.
“He is consistent in his approach to maximise his opportunities and is always the last to leave whether that’s in the gym, training pitch, or recovery sessions. This has been evident in his tactical understanding, technical capabilities and strong mentality and character.”
Furthermore, to his tributes, FTIFA Manager Mick Horsfall, said: “Keito has shown tremendous potential from the moment he came into our programme. He demonstrates a strong work ethic and willingness to take on information and develop his game in all areas, he can control the midfield with his game understanding.
“Fleetwood, as a group, has helped nurture him and he is now set up for an exciting start to his football career. We believe with his attributes alongside his mentality, he will go on and do good things in a professional setting – the next step for him is to gain international opportunities at the youth level.”