It’s rare that players are dropped in their teens and then picked up by top-level clubs, but in the modern game training is becoming more prominent in being the figurehead that is pushing players to consistently impress and get to higher levels in their game than anyone thought was possible. This is the story of the promising 18-year-old goalkeeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe. Rugby where his passion for sports first started. As a child he developed his love for football and whilst playing for his second Sunday league team, he was poached by his boyhood club Leicester. In the years that went by, Teddy succeeded in the academy, going through the years, but was sadly released by the club as a schoolboy.

The young goalkeeper, like many, thought his footballing dream was over. It was Burton Albion’s Youth Academy that swooped in and saw the talent that Sharman-Lowe had that would inevitably leave Leicester kicking themselves. Working his way through the Burton Academy, it was clear Sharman-Lowe had some unfinished business with his football career and continually impressing management put him into first-team contention. Many players express how playing in different leagues has helped them adapt to different playing styles. Some leagues provide harsher environments, others less so, however, every game played in a professional setting is highly important to blossoming as a player and Sharman Lowe experienced this first-hand “Joining burton was the best thing I could’ve done after getting released by Leicester, I played a lot of games and experienced a different side to football than I had at Leicester which really helped, then I progressed into the first team quite early and that environment was amazing.”

In September 2020, at just 17 years old, Teddy was at his nana’s when his phone rang. It was the Premier League champions at the time, Chelsea. Having kept a close eye on him at youth level, they wanted to offer him a professional contract. A dream of every budding footballer, to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world, and for them to call you. For Teddy, it was all go from there. He ended up straight back to Jake Buxton’s Burton side, where he no doubt gained valuable first-team experience that he could bring back to Chelsea. “I loved every second of it at Burton, hence why I was so eager to go back on loan” he said.

After his loan spell back at Burton, he was brought back to Chelsea where he started training with the first team. A video which went viral amongst Chelsea fans saw them impressed by what he had to offer. Since then, Teddy has been playing for the under-23's and has made a number of appearances on the first-team bench. He also made his debut for England in a dramatic 4-2 against Russia in 2020.

A family who are immensely proud of their Teddy. From celebrating him being scouted by Leicester when he was just a boy, to jumping up and down around the telephone as he got the call from Chelsea, a feeling that can’t be imagined unless you were there to experience it. Teddy reminisces about going to watch Leicester play when he was younger with his father. His favourite shirt is a signed Leicester shirt by all the players, closely followed by his Chelsea shirt from when he was picked in the first-team squad. A Leicester boy at heart, with a big career ahead of him. A player and role model that is an inspiration to everyone surrounded by him. Keep pushing and you will succeed.

Styling, creative direction and production: Nayaab Tania

Photography: Akash Khada

Video: Gaat Dom

Player Booking: 1ONECONCIERGE

Styling credits:

Brands: COOBA, Peso, Martine Rose, Alexander Mqueen, Dior, Badlands, Vintage Trap, ALYX x Moncler, Off white, Nike.