Jason Koumas was, as has been chronicled on many occasions, one of the big enigmas of Welsh football.
At his best, he was capable of the astonishing, producing moments of brilliance so resounding they would turn the terraces into a sea of dazzled open mouths.
But he could just as easily prove a frustrating character at times. Indeed, while his most vehement critics never doubted his obvious natural ability, some felt his application and execution fell short far too often, robbing him of the sort of stage his talents deserved.
READ MORE: In search of Jason Koumas, the Welsh football enigma who'd rather be left alone
But those reminiscing on the forward's career seldom do so without a warm smile.
The fact Jason has seemingly stepped out of the spotlight and kept his head down since hanging up his boots only further fuels the mythology around his career. When we tried to catch up with him towards the end of 2018, we found a man who unlike many of his peers, had shunned the public gaze, choosing instead to balance his time with friends, watching his beloved Liverpool FC and nurturing his young son's own football career.
Now, nearly five years on, that same son has brought the Koumas name back into the spotlight.
Lewis Koumas has been with the Reds since he was 11 and has been scoring goals for fun at academy level for a while. Last week he wrote a new chapter in the family legacy by signing a first professional deal at Anfield.
If the 17-year-old is even half as good as his father, it could be a significant step towards a hugely exciting career.
Endorsed by a legend
Commenting on the move on his official Instagram, he wrote: "Unforgettable moment signing my first professional contract at @liverpoolfc, Dreams becoming Reality."
Unsurprisingly, the news sparked plenty of well wishes, even from the blue half of Merseyside, with Everton legend Leon Osman writing "Congrats Lewis. Now the work begins."
Even Wales legend Gareth Bale, who recently announced his retirement after a stunning career of his own, offered his support, much to the youngster's surprise.
"Wow appreciate that @garethbale11," he wrote, followed by the now obligatory goat emoji.
To receive recognition from Wales' greatest-ever player will only heighten the excitement that is starting to build around the teenager, but few are yet prepared to really stick their neck out and predict just how far he could go.
The media view
Given his footballing journey is still very much in its infancy, the teenager is still something of an unknown quantity, even to many of those on Merseyside.
Ian Doyle, chief Liverpool FC writer at the Liverpool Echo, is one of the few outsiders to have caught a good look at the youngster, who has recently adapted to life as a striker, having previously played in a deeper role through the age groups.
It's a move that has paid dividends, with Koumas emerging as top scorer for the under-18s, with a place in the under-21s now surely on the horizon.
"It's an interesting one, really," Doyle explains. "Lewis broke into the under-18s team at Liverpool towards the end of last season with some substitute appearances and scored in the final under-18s game of the season against Newcastle.
"He was being used as a midfielder then. But during the summer, he was tried out as a makeshift number nine due to unavailability of players elsewhere, and scored four goals in the first under-18 Premier League North game of the campaign against Middlesbrough.
"The under-18s coach Marc Bridge-Wilkinson admitted it would then be difficult to play him anywhere other than up front, and he's responded with 10 goals this season, two of which have come for the under-19s in the UEFA Youth League.
"Koumas has also made his breakthrough in Premier League 2 for the under-21s and appeared in the EFL Trophy as a last-minute replacement at Rochdale on the right flank, where his fine showing underlined his versatility and good attitude.
"Having also played at full-back in his youth days, he knows about the defensive side of the game and presses well. He is a bit of an all-rounder in some respects.
"Liverpool don't always offer players a first professional contract so soon after their 17th birthday, so it was a real statement of intent from the club. Goalscoring strikers are always the most difficult to find, so they have been quick to reaffirm his commitment."
The coach's view
Liverpool themselves are reluctant to publicly hype up their most talented young players, but as Doyle explains, the mere offer of a professional deal is testament to how highly he's rated.
Academy insiders paint Koumas out to be a confident but grounded individual, eager to learn and fiercely ambitious.
Giving a rare insight into the youngster's ability, coach Marc Bridge-Wilkinson said recently: "He’s a good footballer. He’s very good at running without the ball, he is very good at running forwards.
"His movement and timing is excellent, and he likes to finish. He’s played in wide positions, as a midfielder, he’s even played at full-back for different age groups.
"There are still big strides we can make. We can still help him improve further."
What could happen next
Koumas has actually been out with a foot injury since November and is still working his way back to fitness. Coping with the mental strain of being out could prove a valuable experience in his young career, and when he returns he will clearly have to be managed in the right way.
Despite his goalscoring exploits at youth level, there's still a feeling he has yet to fully master the intricacies of the number nine role, which is to be expected given his tender age.
But should he continue on his current trajectory, it seems inevitable that he'll start to become more of a regular for the club's under-21s. Once he gets to that point, he could well start to press his case with Jurgen Klopp.
The likes of Ben Woodburn, Harry Wilson and Neco Williams have all been given the opportunity to shine in the senior set-up, and there's no reason why Koumas shouldn't believe he can one day do the same.
"If Liverpool qualify for the Champions League, he'll get more exposure in the UEFA Youth League," Doyle adds.
"But, overall, Liverpool will just let him carry on doing what he's doing. If he keeps scoring goals, Jurgen Klopp has shown time and again he's willing to give youngsters chances in the first team.
"Perhaps that will come from training with them first, and then possibly going on a summer tour. But Koumas still has a long way to go."
