Old Brentwood football star George Dobson set for Dutch challenge

Old Brentwood footballer George Dobson has told of his excitement at signing a professional deal with Sparta Rotterdam in the Dutch Premier Division.

The signing, for an undisclosed fee, will see midfielder George star in the Eredivisie league – the highest echelon of professional football in the Netherlands.

George, who attended Brentwood School between 2009 and 2014, said he regarded the move to Sparta Rotterdam as a new adventure. “It is a great opportunity for me to come to play in a top division with such great teams. I cannot wait to get started,” he added.

The 19-year-old started his career as a youth player at Arsenal, aged eight, before joining West Ham in July 2015 where he quickly became an integral part of the Development squad, also known as the club's U21 side, and played frequently during the 2015-16 season.

In June 2016, he signed for League One side Walsall on a season-long loan and played 26 times for the Saddlers, scoring once in the 2-1 defeat to Fleetwood Town in December.

After the completion of his loan spell, he returned to East London for the closing stages of the U23's season, helping the PL2 side clinch promotion after victory over Newcastle United in the Play-Off Final.