BRISTOL City believe Wales youth international Aaron Holloway will be the next academy graduate off the club's production line.

The 17-year-old, who can play at centre-half, central midfield and centre-forward, first linked up with City after his hometown club, Cardiff, decided not to take him on.

Academy director John Clayton beams with pride at the potential of the youngster, who is bidding to follow in the footsteps of Leroy Lita, Cole Skuse, Liam Rosenior and compatriot Dave Cotterill.

"He can achieve whatever he likes in the game," said Clayton. "It is just really down to Aaron. If he is focussed on becoming a real good pro, he can do it. He is the perfect specimen for playing football.

"He is built like a giant at 6ft 2ins tall and he has done a hell of a lot of work on his body.

"He had an injury last season – a pelvic injury that a lot of lads get growing up – and missed six months because of it.

"He didn't put his time to waste. He spent six months in the gym with our sport scientist and he has come out looking like an absolute Adonis.

"He is the quickest player we have got and technically he is outstanding. He can play in three or four different positions – every one pretty well – and we still don't know where his best position will be.

"He started off with us as a centre-half, Wales play him in midfield, because he is so good on the ball, and we have played him up front and he has scored three goals in four games. He is somebody who has got a really bright future – if he wants to grab it."

Holloway has already trained with the City first-team and, like most rising stars, he was offered his first full professional contract soon after he turned 17 – the earliest a player can sign such a deal. City are hopeful he will soon put pen to paper and seal his future at Ashton Gate.

Clayton said: "He was 17 in April and he has been offered a pro contract already. It has not been signed yet, but that is on the horizon.

"He is doing really well with the Welsh national team at Under-19 level and Brian Flynn is really keen to get him into the Under-21s.."

Holloway added: "I love playing for Wales. At club level, most of the lads are English. Playing for Wales is different, a family thing, and I really enjoy it."

Next week – The full story on the Bristol City academy