I played with Phil Foden and won the U17 World Cup for England – now I’m slugging it out in non-league
A PREMIER League prodigy went from winning the U-17s World Cup with Phil Foden to non-league football in just six years.
Nya Kirby played a crucial role in the Young Lions’ 2017 success - scoring the winning penalty in the last-16 against Japan.
And the midfield starlet, then 17, came off the bench to help England come from behind to outclass Spain in the final.
At the time, the Crystal Palace graduate shared a dressing room with the likes of Man City’s Phil Foden and Utd’s Jadon Sancho.
Old England U-17 photos show Kirby also alongside Sheffield United's Rhian Brewster and Forest winger Callum Hudson-Odoi.
And Kirby was tipped to be another home-grown hero, too.
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But tonight he is taking part in a different cup competition - an FA Cup fourth qualifying round replay.
He is set to line up for non-league part-timers Oxford City who take on Scarborough Athletic in a bid to reach the first round.
After failing to impress on loan moves at Blackpool and Tranmere Rovers, Kirby was released by then Palace boss Patrick Vieira.
The London-born footballer joined the Vanarama National League side - in the fifth tier of England’s football pyramid - this summer.
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The club, promoted last year to the top division of non-league football, play on an artificial pitch and average just 945 supporters.
Announcing the signing, Oxford City told fans: “Oxford City FC is delighted to announce the signing of midfielder Nya Kirby ahead of the 23/24 campaign.
“The highly-rated 23-year-old has already had an impressive career, coming through the ranks at Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace.
“Most notably, Kirby was a member of the England U17 squad that won the U17’s World Cup back in 2017.
“Furthermore, he played a crucial role in the tournament, scoring the decisive penalty in the round of 16 clash with Japan. He also featured in the final victory over Spain.
“Kirby has also represented the three lions at U16, U18 and U19 level (featuring in the under-19 championships in 2018).
“Nya also joins us with EFL experience after spending time on loan at Blackpool and Tranmere Rovers in League One.”
After signing for the Hoops, Nya said: “I’m delighted to sign.
"I’ve been here since the beginning of pre-season and I’ve loved working with Ross [Jenkins, head coach] and the team.
"I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.
“It’s been very easy to settle in, there’s a great group of lads here.
“It’s a great platform for me to come and play in.
"I watched some games last season and they played some amazing football and I feel that’d it would suit me and help the team.
“I’ll work very hard for the team and I’m here to help us do as well as we can. I can’t wait to get started!"
Kirby has had a strong start to life with Oxford City, scoring twice in 10 games.
If he helps the Hoops past National League North's Scarborough, they will play League Two’s Forest Green Rovers in the FA Cup first round.
He is not the only member of the Young Lions squad - which featured now Premier League stars such as Conor Gallagher, Marc Guehi, and Emile Smith Rowe - to play in non-league.
Former Manchester City goalkeeper Curtis Anderson - who played in the final as England beat Spain 5-2 in India - now plies his trade at ninth tier Kendal Town.
Anderson, 22, previously told how he watched his old England under-17 teammates star at the World Cup in Qatar last year.
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While playing for non-league Bootle, he said: “I really struggled [during the World Cup] because I was seeing so many of my old team-mates and people I had spent a lot of time with.
"And then there's me, sat at home watching on TV, thinking, 'How has this ended up happening?”
