Ex-Man Utd star Lee Grant and former Liverpool ace Emile Heskey pose with sons as they sign for rivals City
FORMER Premier League stars Emile Heskey and Lee Grant looked proud as punch as their sons celebrated signing for Manchester City.
The former striker, who played for Liverpool and England, and the ex-Manchester United goalkeeper, who retired this summer, were only too happy to wear the colours of the Citizens after Jaden Heskey and True Grant penned their respective scholarship deals.
The duo were among 14 youngsters to commit their futures to the champions' academy after impressing in City’s lower age groups.
All of the starlets will now be part of the Under-18 team this term and have already begun pre-season training with head coach Ben Wilkinson.
The other teenagers to sign deals were Joel Ndala, Jahmai Simpson Pusey, Justin Oboavwoduo, Isaiah Dada-Mascoll, Lakyle Samuel, Michael Okeke, Alfie Harrison, Ashton Muir, Charlie Gray, Ezra Carrington, Sebastian Naylor and Jacob Wright.
However, it was the offspring of Heskey and Grant that captured the headlines as they aim to follow in their fathers footsteps.
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Heskey scored over 150 goals playing for the likes of Leicester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Wigan, Aston Villa and Bolton.
Now fellow forward Jaden is hoping to hit the goal-trail for City’s youth team.
Grant lined-up in goal over 500 times throughout his career at Derby, Sheffield Wednesday, Burnley, Stoke and United.
And he will no doubt be passing on all of that experience to True as his son dons the gloves for City's U18s.
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The scholars signed their contracts at a special event held at the City Football Academy.
City legend Mike Summerbee, now an ambassador for the club, and managing director of global football Brian Marwood were also in attendance.
Academy director Jason Wilcox hosted the event.
City finished top of the Northern U18 Premier League in 2021/22, ten points ahead of second-placed Liverpool, before beating Southampton 2-1 to lift the overall title.