WEYMOUTH’S Dan Austin is heading stateside after earning a prestigious soccer scholarship in the USA.

The talented Weymouth College student will be joining West Texas A&M University, which is located in Amarillo, and will leave these shores in a month’s time to study and play for the Buffalos’ football team.

Commenting on the process behind the awarding of his scholarship, the former Yeovil Town teenager, who is set to study sports fitness and coaching, said: “I was asked if I wanted to go for an assessment of my skills and fitness levels so I went up to Lilleshall and played there in front of 30 US coaches all looking to recruit players.

“It’s a bit do-or-die because you either get chosen or you don’t. Afterwards I had a choice of 11 universities.

“I was meant to go last year but I had to do a biology exam in order to do my chosen degree, however, in the end I chose Texas as I had been in contact with them for more than a year.

“I can’t wait to go and I’m really looking forward to it.”

The 19-year-old, who helped Dorchester Town Reserves to fourth spot in the Wyvern Premier League last term, has secured his four-year stay through the Pass4Soccer scholarship placement system.

Places on the Pass4Soccer network are now available for potential student athletes seeking to enter a US university soccer programme in September 2013 and 2014.

Visit Pass4Soccer.com for more details.