Raheem Sterling laces his boots during his debut for the England Under-16s last week. - Contributed

A 14-year-old Jamaican schoolboy is taking English football by storm and attracting the interest of many of the top clubs across Europe.

Raheem Sterling has dazzled the English football world with his prodigious talent, with many persons claiming that at 14 he shows more promise than Wayne Rooney did. Rooney has developed into a star for Manchester United and England.

But what the English media is not reporting is that Sterling was born in Jamaica and spent his first five years on Reapers Road in Maverly, Kingston 20, before moving with his mother to London.

In hailing the wonder kid, one British newspaper incorrectly described him as "the Harlesden-born striker" when he made his debut for the England Under-16 team last week.

"I played right wing in that game and that is my preferred position," Sterling told The Gleaner from his family home in London on Monday.

Representing Jamaica

With his performances, many football pundits think it is not too long before he makes his way up the ladder in the English national teams, but he also has the option of representing Jamaica.

"When it comes to that decision that is when I will decide, but if Jamaica comes for me, why not?" Sterling added.

His mother, Nadine, is proud of her Jamaican heritage and helps to shield him from the media spotlight.

"I asked his club to keep him out of the media because he is so young and I want to ensure that he does his schoolwork, but right now that is not a problem because he is managing his books," Nadine told The Gleaner.

But keeping Raheem out of the spotlight will be a hard task for his close-knit family.

The English media have reported that scouts from 12 English Premier League clubs made their way to the Deva Stadium in Chester last week for a glimpse of the schoolboy who has been with Queens Park Rangers (QPR) since he was 10.

Steve Gallen, QPR's head of youth development, is well aware of Sterling's growing profile but expressed confidence that he would not be tempted away from the club he joined as a 10-year-old.

Gallen is reported as having said: "He has loads of natural ability. This boy can pass, shoot, head it, score goals, tackle, defend, anything. He will be in our reserves quite soon and we will protect him from there."

Senior team training

Sterling

QPR's boss, Jim Magilton, has been so impressed with the youngster, who scored on his Under-18 debut for the club last month, that he has drafted him into training with the senior team.

It is also believed Magilton has lined up a senior game next month once Sterling turns 15 - which would make him the youngest player to appear in English football.

One newspaper recently reported that, "Skilful and quick winger Sterling has been kept under wraps by Rangers but a gang of scouts - headed by Manchester United and Liverpool - saw him dazzle again for their under-18 side at the weekend."

But the youngster and his mother are not looking to leave QPR any time soon.

"He's not really thinking about other clubs than QPR, the club that he is in," Nadine said.

Raheem added: "I will be staying at QPR for some time because I don't think it's time yet to rush into anything."

Participant asked that full name not be used.