West Ham academy midfielder Kristijan Belic wants to become the first Serbian outfield player to represent the Hammers in the Premier League, the club’s official website reports.
Belic describes how it would be a “great honour” to be the first to achieve this feat, given how he comes from a small village in Serbia.
Who is Kristijan Belic?
The 17-year-old joined West Ham three years ago alongside his brother Luka Belic, who has since departed permanently.
But Kristijan Belic is rated as an exciting prospect and considered to be a talent for the future.
The talented teenager operates as a defensive midfielder and he predominantly plays for the under-18 team.
But Belic recently broke into the under-23 team for a game against Liverpool and his next target will be to secure his place in Liam Manning’s side.
Kristijan Belic on his first-team ambitions
If Belic continues on his path to stardom and makes his first-team debut, he would become only the second Serbian to represent the Irons.
Sasa Ilic is the only Serbian to play for West Ham in the Premier League but he only managed one outing, back in 2000.
Belic is now eyeing the opportunity to become West Ham’s first outfield Serbian and to overtake Ilic’s modest appearance record in East London.
Belic told whufc.com: “I didn’t know a Serbian player had never played outfield for West Ham before. I come from a small city in Serbia, so to be the first would be a great honour for both myself and my family.
“This is a great club with a big history, and it’s always great to play for West Ham, whatever the level.”
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