CEDAR Grove footballer Daniel Leck has been selected for the Brisbane Roar's first ever under 18s National Premier League squad.
The 22-player squad, run in partnership with Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS), will provide players with a pathway to the Young Roar team and could eventually lead to a spot in the A-League.
Daniel, 15, started playing football with Jimboomba United Football Club when he was four.
He was selected after impressing scouts at the national titles in Canberra late last year.
Playing for the QAS, Daniel's team finished second in the gruelling competition.
"It was a good experience, there were a lot of good players there," he said.
Daniel was his team's top goal-scorer at the nationals but he said he has room for improvement.
He said being chosen for the Roar-QAS team brought him a step closer to a life-long dream.
"It's all I've wanted to do since I was a little kid, is to be a professional footballer," he said.
He said the under 18s Roar-QAS squad would pit him against players two years older than him.
Squad coach Josh McCloughan said the selection process had been extensive and he was delighted to bring together one of the most talented groups of young footballers ever assembled in the state.
"I am excited about the next step in the development of these players,'' McCloughan said.
"Brisbane Roar has now put in place a clear pathway for that development to continue through to the highest levels of football. It's a great incentive for all young players who aspire to be professional footballers."