Australia aren't giving up on Udinese whizkid Panos Armenakas.
The 16 year-old, after deciding to leave Watford, will turn pro with Udinese, resisting offers from Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea in the process.
Armenakas is Aussie raised, but also qualifies for Greece and has done his reputation no harm in action for their U17 national team.
However, Football Federation Australia are keeping a close eye on his development and representatives this week confirmed the teen is on their radar.
Former Queensland Roar and Perth Glory defender Stu McLaren, now in charge of Loughborough University FC in England, revealed during a Twitter conversation he had scouted Armenakas on the FFA's behalf at last year's Milk Cup. The midfielder was outstanding in Watford's run to the semifinals.
@OSAussies@tribalfootball@jenweya@HarryKewell@CraigMoore_18 watched Panos in Milk Cup for Watford last year & very positive report sent
— Stuart McLaren (@mclarenstu) July 12, 2014
During the Twitter conversation, the OSAussies website revealed Armenakas had also received an invite from the FFA before making his Greece debut.
For his part, Armenakas was aware of the discussion, 'favouriting' tweets and later thanking both McLaren and Craig Moore for their public support.
Former Rangers and Australia captain Moore had jumped into the conversation, revealing the FFA were actively setting up a mentor programme for young Aussie players to tap into throughout Australia and Europe. Where once talents like Armenakas would not hear from anyone connected to Aussie football until they were making positive headlines, there is now a serious effort from the FFA to build a support network for those chancing their arm abroad.
And it appears to be working, with this week's Twitter interaction involving McLaren and Moore going down well inside the Armenakas camp.
@OSAussies@tribalfootball@jenweya@HarryKewell@mclarenstu just fallen into conversation. Mentors are here in Oz and throughout the world
— Craig Moore (@CraigMoore_18) July 14, 2014
@OSAussies@CraigMoore_18@HarryKewell@mclarenstu Thnks Craig. Bst thng frm this convo @panaldinho10 knows directly how much Oz rates him.
— Tribal Football (@tribalfootball) July 14, 2014
