Gabriano Shelton

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Gabriano Shelton
Personal information
Full name Gabriano Jabez Shelton
Date of birth (2007-09-27) 27 September 2007 (age 16)
Place of birth England
Position(s) Right-back, midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Liverpool
Youth career
Years Team
0000 SV Avenwedde
0000 PRB Gütersloh
0000 APOEL
2017 Allstars
2017– Liverpool

Gabriano Jabez Shelton (born 27 September 2007)[1] is a footballer who plays as a right-back or midfielder for Liverpool.

Early life[edit]

Shelton was born in England to South African parents from Vergenoeg, East London, Eastern Cape.[2] His father was a footballer for local side Saints Football Club in East London, and also played cricket for United Cricket Club.[2] After the family moved to England in 2005, his father enrolled in the British Army.[2][3][4]

Shelton attended the St Francis Xavier's College in Liverpool.[5]

Club career[edit]

Shelton started his career at the age of six in Germany, where he played for SV Avenwedde and PRB Gütersloh, before his family moved to Cyprus, and he played for APOEL.[2] He returned to England, joining local Wigan-based side Allstars in October 2017.[4][6] After being scouted by Manchester City, Burnley and Liverpool, he joined the academy of the latter in December of the same year.[4][6]

International career[edit]

Having witnessed the racial abuse suffered by Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho following their penalty misses for England in the final of the UEFA Euro 2020, Shelton decided he wanted to represent South Africa at international level.[3][7] While playing an academy game for Liverpool, Shelton noticed that former South African international Quinton Fortune was watching the match, and approached him to ask for advice regarding starting his international career.[8] Fortune gave him the telephone number of South Africa under-17 manager, Duncan Crowie, and Shelton attempted to contacted him in order to express his desire to represent the nation, but initially did not hear back.[4][8] Fortune also contacted former teammate, and current South African under-17 assistant manager, Aaron Mokoena, on Shelton's behalf, and Mokoena stated that Shelton would be assessed.[8]

After eventually hearing back from Crowie, he was called up to the South Africa under-17 squad ahead of the 2023 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.[9] However, after suffering an illness and having to be hospitalised, he had no choice but to withdraw from the squad.[10]

Style of play[edit]

Shelton has listed his best position as being right-back, as it gives him the opportunity to attack down the wing.[8] He has stated that his second-best position is as a central midfielder, where he is capable of breaking up play and starting attacks.[8]

Personal life[edit]

His brother, El Niño, is also a footballer, and currently also plays in the academy of Liverpool.[4]

References[edit]

  1. ^ @PrinceSobayeni1 (1 November 2022). ""At Liverpool they asked at the beginning of the U15 level for me to let them know which national team is my first choice if selected and I put SA on mine. So all my reviews and photos come with the SA flag on them." Gabriano Shelton" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  2. ^ a b c d "SA Brothers for Liverpool". The Mercury. 8 February 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  3. ^ a b Ditlhobolo, Austin (3 November 2022). "Liverpool starlet Shelton wants South Africa instead of England due to fan criticism of Saka, Rashford and Sancho". goal.com. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e Dove, Ed (10 March 2023). "Gabriano Shelton: Who is Orlando Pirates fan & Liverpool wonderkid called up by South Africa?". goal.com. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  5. ^ MacDonald, Keifer (13 April 2023). "SFX schoolboys rewarded for fine Liverpool FC performances with international recognition". liverpoolecho.co.uk. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  6. ^ a b Arends, Ethienne (21 December 2017). "Liverpool sign Sheltons". goexpress.co.za. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  7. ^ Mothoagae, Keba (4 November 2022). "Liverpool's Gabriano Shelton Has South African Hopes After Bukayo Saka, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford Abuse". sportsbrief.com. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d e Dube, Mthokozisi (10 November 2022). "How Manchester United legend helped Liverpool starlet Shelton inch closer to his dream". farpost.co.za. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  9. ^ Chama, Lucky (14 April 2023). "Liverpool teen makes South Africa U-17 AFCON bound squad". bolanews.com. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  10. ^ Raophala, Mauwane (19 April 2023). "Liverpool captain Gabriano Shelton's AFCON omission explained". farpost.co.za. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
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