HARRIET Freeman is on her way to West London after winning a place at the Chelsea FC Academy.

The 17-year-old, who lives in Crossways and currently turns out for Weymouth Ladies, will join up with the Premier League giants on September 10 along with fellow Terra Elle Saunders after both players came through successful trials.

Harriet’s father Jason, who managed his daughter’s team at Dorchester Town Youth for seven years, told Echosport: “Harriet was supposed to have received the offer three weeks ago but the letter never came through.

“Now she has found out, she is very excited and now it is just a case of sorting everything out.

“It has put us in a little bit of a difficult position because she is currently halfway through her A-levels at Thomas Hardye School but she really wants to go and it is what she wants to do.

“With Elle going as well, we can share all the travelling which will help, and with Harriet aspiring to be a sports teacher it is something that would also look great on her CV.

“There is still a bit of thinking to be done but it is an opportunity not a lot of people get and she is desperate to take it.”

Despite playing for the Terras now, Freeman’s development as a player took place in the county town under Lloyd Spracklen at the Magpies.

Jason added: “A big thank you goes to Weymouth but in particular to Dorchester Town Youth, which is where she has played most of her football.

“I managed her youth team for seven years after she started at under-10s level.

“She has also played for Dorset for several years and that is where she caught the interest of Chelsea.

“To see how far she has come is just fantastic and I am sure she will do all she can to make the most of this opportunity.”

Spracklen is also delighted for the teenager. He said: “Harriet is a very talented player.

“She first came to me when she was just nine and started in the under-10s.

“Straight away you could see there was something about her.

“She possesses a lot of pace, is very fit, and always causes a lot of problems for defenders.

“Basically, she has all the attributes a player needs but as well as that she has always worked hard at her game and is extremely dedicated.

“The fact Chelsea have spotted her doesn’t surprise me at all and I hope she goes up there and does very well.

“She is now the third girl we’ve had go to Chelsea along with Amber Guy-Kemp and Ellie Crabb, which is fantastic and it shows the youngsters coming up through just what can be achieved with the right attitude and commitment.”

Any young girls interested in taking up football in the county town can contact Dorchester Town Youth girls’ soccer secretary Steve Ward on 07585709066.