A former Premier League trainee who left his home in Ireland as a youngster to pursue his footballing dream is now helping others to prepare to do the same.

Eoin Wearen caught the attention of scouts from several big clubs as a youngster, playing in a youth team alongside the likes of Newcastle United midfielder Jeff Hendrick and Bournemouth wideman Robbie Brady.

In the end he signed for West Ham United as a 12-year-old, bravely making the move to London.

He progressed well and featured in a handful of pre-season friendlies for the Hammers under Gianfranco Zola, but a brutal ACL injury hampered his progress just as he was on the cusp of the first team.

Wearen left West Ham after five years and enjoyed a reasonably successful career in the League of Ireland with several different club.

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At the start of 2020 he made another big international move, this time relocating to the USA.

Now settled in Chicago, he is still playing semi-professionally but is focussed on the next chapter of his career – helping a new generation of Liverpool youngsters to hone their skills.

After a few months Stateside he was hired by the club's International Academy America, and helping those young Reds is now what drives him the most.

"[Playing] is a side thing for me now. Coaching is the primary focus," he told the official West Ham website.

"I jumped at the opportunity to come to Chicago to work for Liverpool. It was a great opportunity, and it's one I've really enjoyed so far.

Eoin Wearen was a trainee at West Ham United
Eoin Wearen was a trainee at West Ham United

"It’s really different to the other coaching roles I've had and the standards are really high in training."

Wearen, 29, coaches four teams from his base in Chicago and is one of 25 US-based employees of Liverpool's Stateside academy network.

In his role he could have a hand in the development of players destined to make the move over to Merseyside, following in the footsteps of academy graduate Matteo Ritaccio.

The New York-born midfielder has been with the Reds officially for four years, but was first spotted by scouts as a promising 13-year-old playing in one of the club's US-based camps.

Now aged 20, Ritaccio signed a new deal with the club last year and has featured sparingly in Barry Lewtas' u23s squad this season.

As well as honing the footballing skills of those who wish to follow in the American's footsteps, Wearen is also using his own experiences to help those youngsters to prepare for the mental side of the game.

"I tell young players to believe in themselves and to persevere," he added.

"You're probably going to have more downs than ups, but it's how you how you react to those setbacks. I think that not only makes a player, but makes a person as well."