Liverpool to sign Turkish reality TV 'Soccer Prince' star

[King Binny]

King Kenny won't be the only royalty at Anfield, because Turkish reality TV show Soccer Prince is aiming to discover football's next superstar and send them to Liverpool for a year's development.

Thousands of hopefuls between 14 and 16 years old will audition in 15 cities across Turkey with the eventual winner enjoying a one-year programme with the Reds, including an English education.

Versions of the show have already been held in China and Vietnam, with Liverpool's Merseyside rivals Everton securing the Chinese winner in 2008 while Liverpool picked up the Vietnamese champion in 2010.

Jin Hui, who trained with the Toffees is currently playing for Chinese First Division outfit Beijing Ba Xi.

But now Liverpool are the only Premier League team to support the initiative and managing director Ian Ayre believes the club are offering a brilliant chance to youngsters worldwide.

He said: 'What we are providing is that once-in-a-lifetime chance to play for Liverpool. 'People love us because of football and it lets people in other countries see the power of Liverpool Football Club.

'The key for us is that it is all over different parts of the world and gives thousands of kids a chance.'

Liverpool Champions League winner Dietmar Hamann made a special appearance on the first live show of the Turkish edition, broadcast in Turkey on Saturday.

The competitors will be whittled down to 80 with those remaining taking part in five-a-side tournaments to impress the judging panel, to score one of 24 places in 'live elimination' shows which will begin in March 2012.

They will be at the mercy of viewers and judges who will vote contestants out until only five remain for a two-show finale in May.

It is estimated over 130million people watched the Chinese incarnation of the show.

 

[The Slugmonster]

If it sells shirts in Turkey then....god man Ian Ayre!!

 

[Rafiagra]

Turkey must be a pretty decent standard although I won't hold out much hope of him turning out to be amazing though

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

I thought we had a bit more class.

 

[Molbystwin]

I can only see the positive to be honest.... at worst we get lots of publicity for the club and an average young player who we then shuffle of somewhere else... at best we get lots of publicity and find a free gem.

 

[Dreambeliever]

[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=47646.msg1431918#msg1431918 date=1322177287]
I thought we had a bit more class.
[/quote]

Where is the lack of class in this?

 

[furyoo]

Does anyone know who this 'Vietnamese champion' is?

 

[juniormember]

[quote author=Dreambeliever link=topic=47646.msg1431956#msg1431956 date=1322186297]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=47646.msg1431918#msg1431918 date=1322177287]
I thought we had a bit more class.
[/quote]

Where is the lack of class in this?
[/quote]

Seconded.

 

[Squiggles]

[quote author=juniormember link=topic=47646.msg1431968#msg1431968 date=1322195165]
[quote author=Dreambeliever link=topic=47646.msg1431956#msg1431956 date=1322186297]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=47646.msg1431918#msg1431918 date=1322177287]
I thought we had a bit more class.
[/quote]

Where is the lack of class in this?
[/quote]

Seconded.
[/quote]

Fucking everywhere. This is the X-Factor of football.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=47646.msg1431975#msg1431975 date=1322197956]
[quote author=juniormember link=topic=47646.msg1431968#msg1431968 date=1322195165]
[quote author=Dreambeliever link=topic=47646.msg1431956#msg1431956 date=1322186297]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=47646.msg1431918#msg1431918 date=1322177287]
I thought we had a bit more class.
[/quote]

Where is the lack of class in this?
[/quote]

Seconded.
[/quote]

Fucking everywhere. This is the X-Factor of football.
[/quote]

Yup

 

[The Slugmonster]

[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=47646.msg1431918#msg1431918 date=1322177287]
I thought we had a bit more class.
[/quote]

Inter made a tv show in england hosted by Jamie Redknapp looking for the next big thing in Britain and Ireland and what hope had the winner of that of ever being heard of again?? Its easy to take the negative approach and just refer to it as lack of class or the x factor of soccer , but I bet our jersey and merch sales will increase over there! Its not about the winner, its the awareness it raises. We need shit like this to bring in more money!!

 

[Richey]

Re: Liverpool to sign Turkish reality TV 'Soccer Prince' star

I doubt anyone seriously expects to find some amazing player through this but there's no real harm in it either. Its not like we're promising to play the winner in the first team. He'd just train with us for a year.

I doubt its costing us anything and we might make money from it. Sure its very gimmicky and I wouldn't like to see us making a habit of it but ultimately pretty harmless.

 

[Insignificance]

But... What the hell!! Dont they read papers in Turkey? We are the racist arsehole club who dared to outplay ManU!! They should listen more to Patrice Evra!

 

[King Binny]

Didi Hamann talks to LFC TV about Soccer Prince Turkey

Opening Sequence for Soccer Prince Turkey