Blackpool's Jake Daniels has come out as the UK's only openly gay active male professional footballer.
Daniels, a midfielder with Blackpool, is the first UK male professional footballer for more than 30 years to come out while playing.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the 17-year-old said: "Now is the right time to do it. I feel like I am ready to tell people my story. I want people to know the real me.
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"I have been thinking for a long time about how I want to do it when I want to do it. I know now is the time. I am ready to be myself, be free and be confident with it all.
"I can't really put a date on it, but I was probably five or six years old when I knew I was gay. So it's been a long time that I have been living with the lie.
"At that age, you don't really think that football and being gay doesn't mix. You just think, one day, when I'm older I'll get a girlfriend and I will change and it will be fine.
"But as you get older you realise you can't just change. It doesn't work like that."
According to the Mirror, Daniels has shone at the youth level for Blackpool in the past season, scoring 30 goals for the under-19s and striking against Chelsea and Newcastle in the FA Youth Cup. He made his senior debut as a substitute in a 5-0 defeat at Peterborough on the final day of the Championship season.
He added: "For a long time I've thought I would have to hide my truth because I wanted to be, and now I am, a professional footballer.
"I asked myself if I should wait until I've retired to come out. No other player in the professional game here is out. However, I knew that would lead to a long time of lying and not being able to be myself or lead the life that I want to.”
Blackpool praised the teenager's bravery. In a statement, the club said: "Blackpool Football Club has worked closely with Stonewall and the relevant footballing organisations to support Jake and is incredibly proud that he has reached a stage where he is empowered to express himself both on and off the pitch.
"It is vital that we all promote an environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves, and that football leads the way in removing any form of discrimination and prejudice."
The Professional Footballers' Association also celebrated Daniels' bravery. They said: "We are extremely proud of Jake and have been working with him and his club. He has the complete support of everyone at the PFA."
The Football vs Homophobia organisation added: "Football v Homophobia would like to congratulate Jake on taking this step to share his authentic self in the men's professional game, especially at such a young age.
"There have previously been players who felt that they had no place in the game as out gay men during their playing careers, but Jake is showing the world that you can be yourself.
"We hope that football will join us in celebrating Jake's news and take proactive steps to ensure that he receives the support he deserves, from players, fans, clubs and the football authorities."
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