Rabstein, 19, recently returned from a soccer scholarship at North Eastern State University in Oklahoma, where he played for the River Hawks. He was offered the scholarship after graduating from Immanuel College, but left America after only one season, admitting the “standard of football and the school was not what he had expected”.

Rabstein, who played for Yeovil U18s last year, is determined to help both Wingate, of the Bostik Premier, and Welwyn avoid relegation. He said: “Wingate was the club who thrust me into the professional world of football. I’ve played in the FA Cup and have learned a lot there.”

The young stopper will start at Nottingham University in September, where he will study Film and Television with American Studies, as well as playing for the 1st XI.