A BUDDING sports journalist who plays for England’s visually impaired football development squad has won a three-year scholarship to study at the University of Worcester .

Adam Lione, of Southminster, Essex, has been representing his country in the sport for the past two years having played mainstream football before that.

The University of Worcester offers one scholarship each year to a visually impaired or blind student with a special talent in football.

The scholarship provides funding to cover three years of tuition fees for the student.

Mr Lione was selected as this year’s recipient because of his academic achievements and his success representing England.

The 18-year-old student said: “I’m so pleased to have been offered this scholarship.

“I didn’t know about the scholarship until I received a flyer about it from Essex Football Association and I decided to go for it.”

“I visited the university and spoke to lecturers David Mycock and Glyn Harding, and applied straight away. I’m really looking forward to getting started now.”

Mr Lione currently plays for London in the national Visually Impaired Football League, but will move to play for the Royal National College for the Blind, Hereford, when he comes to Worcester.