A TALENTED young footballer from Basingstoke has been given a week-long trial by Portuguese giants Benfica.

Joe McDonnell, who is 16 and lives in Cliddesden Court, flew out to Lisbon yesterday to spend seven days training with the two-time European Champions.

The opportunity came about through former Chelsea and Basingstoke Town player Tommy Langley, who is now an agent.

He tipped Benfica off about McDonnell’s potential and, after having him watched by their own scouts, the Portuguese champions offered him a trial.

McDonnell, who is currently a member of the Basingstoke Town Academy, will train with the club this week and is also hoping to play a game on Saturday.

“I am really looking forward to it,” the Queen Mary’s College student said. “It should be a great opportunity and experience for me.

“I am treating it mainly as a good experience and if anything comes of it, that would be brilliant.”

This is McDonnell’s first season in the Academy – and the teenager admits that the standard of the Football Conference Youth League is a big step up from youth football.

“I am really enjoying playing for the youth team but it took me a while to get used to it,” he said. “The tempo of games is far higher than in youth football and the players are taller and a much better standard.

“I am pleased with the way I am playing though. I conceded a few at the start of the season when we were all getting used to each other but I have had a few clean sheets recently, which is good.

“I’m not sure what game Benfica had me watched at but I did well against Farnborough in the Youth Cup and it might have been there.”

Not only is McDonnell a talented footballer, he has also shown plenty of promise on the cricket field and made several appearances for the Basingstoke and North Hants first team in the summer.

“I will play both sports alongside each other for as long as I can but I will have to make a decision at some point,” he said.

“I’m just going to try to put it off for as long as possible.”