Luke Gareppo-Bagshaw, who began playing football at just four years old, has signed with the Premier League club’s academy after attracting attention from several top sides, including Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
His mother, Karen “Kazz” Gareppo, said Luke first showed his potential at a weekend session with Wycombe-based coaching group Wycombe Underwood shortly after the family moved to the area.
Luke Gareppo-Bagshaw had trials at Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea (Image: Karen ‘Kazz’ Gareppo)
She said: “He stood out straight away.
“They invited him into their development centre, but he had to wait until he was six to play matches.”
When he finally made his debut, Luke made an immediate impact, scoring seven goals, converting a penalty and registering three assists in a convincing 20-4 victory.
Videos of that performance, shared on social media, quickly drew attention, including from a Chelsea scout who invited Luke to train at the club’s development centre.
From there, his reputation grew rapidly, with scouts from multiple academies watching him in grassroots football.
At one stage, Luke was training with Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham and Fulham in the same week.
Luke Gareppo-Bagshaw has joined Fulham (Image: Karen ‘Kazz’ Gareppo)
“It was relentless,” Ms Gareppo said. “He was training six or seven times a week, which is a lot for a child.”
Eventually, the family narrowed his options down, and Luke made the decision himself to commit to Fulham, a choice his mother says has allowed him to flourish.
She added: “Fulham made him feel valued.
“They really got to know him and made him feel special.
“Since choosing them, he’s just gone from strength to strength.”
Luke officially signed for Fulham in May and is set to begin full-time academy involvement in September when he starts Year 4.
His mother described the signing as a “huge achievement”, noting that only a small percentage of children at that age are offered academy places.
“It’s something like 11 per cent across the UK,” she said. “We’re incredibly proud of him.”
Despite the demands of academy football, including frequent travel across the country for matches, Ms Gareppo said Luke has maintained a strong balance with school.
“He’s excelling in his studies and his teachers have no concerns,” she added. “Education always comes first, but he’s managing both brilliantly.”
Luke Gareppo-Bagshaw, eight, is from Wooburn Green (Image: Karen ‘Kazz’ Gareppo)
She also emphasised the importance of ensuring young players enjoy the game, revealing Luke had previously found some environments too intense.
“He needs to be happy,” she said. “That’s when he plays his best football, and Fulham has given him that.”
For the Wooburn Green youngster, the journey is only just beginning, but with his talent and determination already clear, his future in the game looks bright.