Petros Skapetis has been signed to English Premier League club, Queens Park Rangers on a professional contract.
The 17-year-old striker, regarded as one of the best prospects to come out of Australia, was being sought out by a number of overseas teams but it was QPR who won out in the end with the two and a half year contract. The professional contract, which runs to 2014, includes schooling, accommodation and a pro salary.
Born in Melbourne, Petros started his career at South Melbourne Football Club at the tender age of eight. He went on to captain the junior Victorian squads at the National Championships. He has spent many hours honing his soccer skills through training and preparing to live out his dream of playing in the UK at an elite level.
Petros sites his parents as his biggest influence, he said: “they have always encouraged me to believe that no mountain is too high to climb”. At 16, Petros was scouted and invited to trial in the UK. He secured a youth contract with Birmingham City FC who were then in the EPL. QPR boss Mark Hughes spotted the young player and offered him a professional contract. “I do realise that my journey has just begun and that there is plenty of hard work ahead,” said Petros.