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Youth football expert reveals all on 'super' QPR signing Jabari Christmas
We’re delighted to welcome the founder of Kinetic Academy Harry Hudson as our exclusive columnist. Each week the youth football expert will be giving his views on the biggest talking points on wonderkids across the UK…
Queens Park Rangers recently announced the signing of Jabari Christmas and youth football expert Harry Hudson knows him well.
The 17-year-old was a part of Hudson’s Kinetic Academy, which provides young people with the platform to chase their footballing dreams, prior to joining the R’s this summer.
Christmas also had an extended trial at Rangers in Scotland last summer but the Light Blues opted not to offer him a professional contract despite having two previous Kinetic alumnae in their ranks (Joe Aribo and Kevin Ciobotaru).
The teenager will begin working with the Under-18s side at first and Hudson loves what he sees on the pitch as he gave us the lowdown.
“Jabari is a super technical player,” Hudson told The Football Wonderkids. “He was very, very close to signing at Rangers last summer.
“He was there for probably eight to 10 weeks and they decided not to take him but since then he’s taken a big step and improved.
“He’s really comfortable on the ball and he’s got quite a continental style in that he’s tall and rangy but really composed.
“He’s got a great range of pass, loves a nutmeg and a bit of a set-piece specialist too.”
Christmas became the 57th graduate of the Kinetic programme which has now seen 59 players go on to earn a professional contract.
He was announced by QPR alongside former Arsenal youngster Keiran Petrie as the academy gained strength in depth at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium.
In other Kinetic Academy news, Aribo is perhaps the biggest name to emerge from Hudson’s foundation and he cannot be prouder of the Nigerian.