Key Takeaways
- Sixteen-year-old forward Christ Batola joins Manchester City’s academy for a training spell.
- The move connects sister clubs through the City Football Group network.
- The French youth international has already tasted senior football with Troyes in the Coupe de France.
Teenage striker Christ Batola has linked up with Manchester City’s youth setup. The 16-year-old forward from ESTAC Troyes will train with the Premier League club’s academy sides.
French newspaper Le Parisien broke the news. The arrangement sees Batola work with City’s U18 and U19 squads. Both clubs sit under the City Football Group umbrella. This parent company often shares talent between its teams.
Batola enjoys a strong reputation in France. Earlier this season, coaches moved him up to an older age group. This promotion allowed him to represent France at the U17 World Cup. He found the net three times in sixteen matches for the junior national side. He has since stepped up to the U18 team, scoring once in three appearances.
The youngster has also experienced senior action. Troyes handed him his first-team debut in the Coupe de France. He entered the pitch as a substitute during the cup clash. However, he is still waiting for his league debut. Despite this, he has scored heavily for Troyes’ youth teams.
ESTAC Troyes will compete in Ligue 1 next season after winning promotion. Before that campaign begins, Batola will spend time at Manchester City. This stint offers him a chance to develop at one of England’s top academies.