Ollie Ecrepont spent a week training at Brentford with David Beckham’s son.
But Ayr’s kid gloves keeper insists there’s no danger of letting his new world go to his head.
The 16-year-old this week penned a three-year deal to stay at Somerset Park.
Big name suitors are lining up to take one of Scotland’s brightest young talents south of the border.
However, Ecrepont and his family insist they’re happy to stay on board at a club they believe is going places.
Ollie, who has already been tipped to grab Ayr’s first team gloves by the time he turns 18, told the Ayrshire Post: “As a fan of the club since I could walk, this is everything I ever dreamed of.
“Even making my first Academy team was a major thing for me.
“I’ve grown up watching these players as a fan going home and away.
“So to get the chance to go in and train with them as a 14-year-old was incredible.
“I wasn’t daunted...it was just a feeling of excitement and wanting to do well.
“Even when I go to games now, my mates are still in the stand. It’s a surreal feeling.”
Ollie has followed an identical path to brother Finn through the United and Scottish national ranks.
And that’s put him on the radar of Premiership clubs down south, with the Bees first to show their hand by offering a training stint.
Ecrepont will return for another spell with Thomas Frank’s side before the summer.
Dad Eddie revealed: “We’ve always been mindful of keeping Ollie very grounded.
“But then you walk in to training at Brentford and Romeo Beckham is stood there.
“It’s a surreal jump to a whole new world but Ollie has always taken everything in his stride.
“Yes we know there is interest in him but in his own words...why would he go to another club in Scotland when Ayr will be in the Premier League within two years?
“That’s what he believes and we are fully on board with that.
“Unless someone comes to the club with the right option, we’ll be here for another three years and we’re delighted with that.”
United keeper coach, Dave Timmins is cited as another huge influence, having worked with some of the game biggest names down south.
And he’s even compared Ecrepont to a young Joe Hart.
Eddie said: “Anyone you speak to in football tells you how lucky Ayr are to have Timmo (Dave Timmins) as a goalie coach.
“It’s well documented how he developed the likes of Joe and that he regards Ollie as having the same type of potential.
“Anyone who contacts us from down south representing other clubs all say the same thing about Timmo and how fortunate we are.
“So for us as a family, it is massive to have that kind of experience working with him.
“The club is run differently now - that’s a major factor for us being confident in staying this long.
“There is a clear plan in place of where they want to go and individual plans for players like Ollie.
“It’s a hugely exciting time...even if you’re coming in as an 11 or 12-year-old.
“You can see a real pathway to the first team and the vibe around the town is so much more positive.
“I see and hear it every day with people coming into the cafe...the club is only going in the right direction.”
Brother Finn added: "It was always our dream to play for Ayr as young lads kicking a ball about in our back garden.
"He'd always go in nets and let me hammer shots in at him...so maybe I can take the credit for him becoming so good!
"To both come through the same pathway and make it to the first team setup as boys from the town who support the club is all you ever want."
United managing director, Graeme Mathie, added: “This is the longest contract we can give to a player of Ollie’s age.
“We would love him to see it out with us as it will take him to a point he is playing first team minutes.
“When Aidan McAdams was injured for a game earlier this season, the first call I took was from the manager asking if we could put Ollie on the bench.
“Ultimately the rules didn’t allow for that to happen – but that shows the trust in him within the club.
“He has a very bright future and we want to help Ollie reach his fullest potential.”
