A POWYS schoolboy has taken his first steps to potential greatness with one of the world's biggest football clubs.

Ysgol Calon Cymru student Arwyn Walby from Llandrindod Wells has been given the chance to follow in the footsteps of Franz Beckenbauer, Lothar Matthäus and Gerd Müller at German giants Bayern Munich.

The Year 13 student has been selected to play for the Bavarians' FC Bayern World Squad which is currently touring the world.

The midfielder has taken the number 8 shirt in the squad,  which sees Bayern and its partner Volkswagen select U19s players from across the world and accompany them as they chase their dream of becoming a professional footballer.

Former Bayern striker Roy Makaay will this year join the coaching staff of World Cup winner Klaus Augenthaler and Christopher Loch as they work with the young players. 

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Walby is the first ever British player to be selected having impressed from a pool of more than 10,000 players who trialled from across the globe despite being aged two years younger than the rest of the squad having been invited back from last year.

The squad has travelled to the United States where they will play in a prestigious 7v7 tournament in North Carolina, followed by fixtures against Inter Miami and DC United from Washington.

The squad then will travel back to play further fixtures at the Allianz Arena, home of Bayern Munich.

A school spokesman said: "We are all enormously proud that one of our own has been offered an opportunity at one of the biggest football clubs in the world.

"Very well done Arwyn, this is such an amazing accomplishment, and follows successes this season with Hereford FC first team and Welsh Schools U18s.

Arwyn's progress in the Bayern Munich squad can be followed on YouTube, by searching 'FC Bayern Munich World Squad 2024'.