From Ballymena to Glasgow via Belfast, Callum Burnside has made plenty of sacrifices to fulfil his ambition of playing professional football.
The 16-year-old is a graduate of Ballymena United and Linfield's youth set-ups, and has also been one of the many success stories to emerge from the Irish FA's JD Academy.
And now Burnside is preparing for life at Rangers after agreeing a three-year deal with the Scottish giants.
Read more: Family's pride as North Belfast teenager signs for Rangers
The teenager is due to put pen-to-paper on the contract on Saturday, and will make the permanent move to Glasgow this summer.
The midfielder's father Gavin admits the deal is reward for the sacrifices his son has made throughout his young life.
"We are so proud of him. I just can't believe it," Gavin said.
"Sometimes you have to pinch yourself. I played a wee bit when I was younger and played for Ballymena, but I gave up when Callum started playing.
"And I have been all over the place, taking him to training and matches all over the country. But don't get me wrong, I wouldn't change it for the world.
"I have watched him grow up as a person and footballer, and he deserves this. He has given up so much and sacrificed so much to get to now.
"He has missed out on a lot of things that his friends would have done."
Burnside had to switch schools so he could fully commit to the IFA's JD Academy which is based at Jordanstown.
He swapped Slemish College for De La Salle in Belfast, and has spent the past five years with Linfield's burgeoning academy which is currently headed up by Blues legend Glenn Ferguson.
"Callum joined the Irish FA's JD Academy at the start of last year and had to move school from Slemish College in Ballymena. So he moved up to Belfast as he was also attending the JD Academy," Gavin said.
"He had a number of trials with Rangers and was over in Glasgow three or four times. He was also over with Chelsea on trial in between that.
"Rangers offered him a pre-contract and that was that. He played for them at last summer's SuperCupNI and really enjoyed it.
"He did really well for them last year, and he was actually playing a year young. He can still play in the tournament this year.
"He was 15 last year when he played with them, and he loved the whole experience. He would have loved to have moved over back then."
Burnside will have a familiar face joining him at Rangers this summer, with fellow Linfield academy prospect Blaine McClure also set to sign a three-year deal.
"Callum has been with Linfield since Under 12 age group, and before that he was with Ballymena United. He has been playing between the Under 16s, 18s and 20s this season," Gavin said.
"It is great he is going over with Blaine. The two lads went to the JD Academy together and have played together since they were 12.
"They actually played together at Swansea's Academy when they were kids.
"They will sign their contracts this weekend. Then after that Callum will head over to Rangers for a week and for another two weeks in April. Then he will move over permanently in June."
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