Murray will take up university scholarship in Texas this summer
Hatters youngster George Murray has won a prestigious scholarship to play football in the United States when he leaves Kenilworth Road at the end of the season.
The 18-year-old forward has played for the club’s academy for the past decade, but is going to St Edward's University in Austin, Texas this summer.
Murray will join a team that plays its college soccer in the Heartland Conference, while studying at the university as part of a four-year academic and athletic scholarship.
He joined Luton's Academy as an eight-year-old and, aged 10, was part of the team that beat Bayern Munich in the final of the Aarau Masters indoor tournament.
Over the last two years, he has played for Paul Driver’s youth team – he was an ever-present in the side that reached the quarter-final of the FA Youth Cup last season – and Andy Awford’s development squad, while also studying for two A Levels in English Literature and Spanish in his own time.
The former pupil of Redborne Upper School in Ampthill said: "I can't wait to move to Austin. It's a fantastic city and university and a great opportunity to further my football career and to get a degree at the same time."
Driver said: “George has shown a terrific attitude in all his time with us and this is a great opportunity for him. He’s been really good all the way along the process, working hard on his education as well as his football, so his grades are right up there. He’s been a great lad to work with – and he still is, putting it in every day at Ely Way. Everyone at the football club wishes him great success with his studies and his football over in America.”
Murray’s scholarship was gained through the assistance of PASS4Soccer, a consultant for soccer scholarships in the US.
Daniel Gray of PASS4Soccer said: "George is an excellent example of the term student-athlete. He has maintained a high level of academic achievement, alongside pursuing his football development with Luton.
“George followed our advice of planning early for a scholarship in the USA and has reaped the rewards in the quality of his placement at such a high ranking academic institution as St. Edward's University."
The Hatters youth team take on Newport County tomorrow at Ely Way in a 1pm kick-off.