42Charles BanyaMidfielder

Having joined Fulham at the age of 12, Banya is another who has risen from our youth ranks in the hope of one day representing the First Team.

Like teammate Alex Brister, the young winger was also a student of the Club’s successful Coombe School programme. In making strides on and off the pitch, Banya has worked hard to get where he has and will relish the chance of working under Kit Symons in the Under-21 group.

An out-and-out wide man, the player has great pace and an often effortless ability to beat his marker. Down either flank, he has been tormenting academy defences for years and with excellent close control, balance and accuracy in his delivery, Banya will be an exciting option for the 2012/13 season.

Banya, whose parents hail from Sierra Leone in West Africa, grew up in Tulse Hill in South West London and joined Fulham’s youth ranks seven years ago, having been spotted whilst playing for the St. Matthew's Project at a six-a-side tournament at Motspur Park.

He found himself in the First Team's matchday squad in November 2012 when Martin Jol named him amongst the substitutes for our match with Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium.