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It has certainly been a season of two halves for Saurap Sampang.
Last summer the prospect signed scholarship terms having progressed all the way through the ranks at Hale End.
However, he didn’t feature at all for the U18s in the first half of the season and didn’t even receive his first competitive callup at that level until January.
Now, though, the 17-year-old seems established as an important player for Adam Birchall’s side and has made eight league appearances for the U18s.
Mainly a midfielder, Sampang can operate vet deep or in a slightly more advanced position and has impressive passing ability, while he is also excellent technically.
In the past couple of games Sampang has filled in at right-back, a position in which he previously played for the U18s in pre-season in 2024.
The youngster is relishing the challenge and he achieved a significant milestone in the defeat to West Ham at the weekend as he netted his first goal for the U18s.
It was a superb strike, too, as he slalomed his way past several opponents before finishing confidently.
Sampang will hope to feature prominently in the five remaining U18 games this season, which would set him up well for a crucial 2026/27 campaign in which he will look to earn a professional contract.
He made his U21 debut earlier this campaign as a substitute when a depleted side were beaten 7-0 by Liverpool.