Scott Kashket has described his move to Leyton Orient as a "dream come true".
Kashket, who is 17 and from Chigwell, has scored six goals in six games for the club’s youth team this season and has been rewarded for a series of excellent displays with a long-term contract.
Following a spell in Spain with Hercules, Kashket was forced to abort a trial at Maccabi Tel Aviv after picking up an injury on his first day in Israel late last year, but he has set his sights on breaking into the Orient first team "as soon as possible".
"This is another step up the ladder," said Kashket who represented the Independent Schools Football Association under-16 team.
The attacking midfielder is similar in stature to Barcelona star Lionel Messi whom he describes as his idol. "I know I’ll have to work very hard to make the step up to the first team at Orient, but it’s about taking my chance when it comes," said Kashket.
"There's a good vibe around the club who have told me to bulk up and given me a new routine for the gym.
"My goal is to try and impress the manager and break into the first team."
A star of the Team Maccabi GB Junior Futsal competition at the 2009 European Maccabi Games in Vienna, Kashket says the small-sided game has helped develop his football skills.
Asked how high up the football ladder he can go, Kashket said: "My aim is to play in the Premiership and for my country one day."
