WHEN youngster Daniel Wickenden was told he had been signed by Crystal Palace, he ran onto the pitch, screaming with excitement.

A year on and the 13-year-old is still going strong with the club and has even been offered a chance to stay until he is 16.

Although Woodcote High student Daniel, of The Mount, Coulsdon, always loved the game, he started playing league football relatively late – at the age of 11.

Just a year later, left-back Daniel was plucked from his school team and given the opportunity to try out for the under-13 team at Palace.

He said: "When I found out I had got a trial I was absolutely gobsmacked – I didn't think it would really come true.

"And then when they said I was good enough to be in the team, it was at the end of training and I just ran across the pitch and started screaming."

Daniel, who lists Frank Lampard and Lionel Messi among his football heroes, played his first game as a Palace player last year.

He said: "I was really excited and nervous at the same time but I definitely remember we won that game."

Now Daniel, currently playing for the under-14s, has decided he wants to be a professional footballer.

He said: "For me it is all about the football, not the money. I think the players who go to training and take the game seriously should be the ones who make it, not those who are silly."

Dad Danny Morrell, 39, said although he was incredibly proud of his son, he would not become a pushy parent.

He explained: "When I see him out there playing I am so proud of him. But it is important he has time on his computer, away from football. I want him to keep it up but I don't want him to be forced into it."