PADDY Lane has been tipped to make it big in the English Football League (EFL) – and possibly even higher – after departing Hyde United.
The midfielder will not feature for the Tigers in the coming season after securing a step up the footballing ladder.
Lane is understood to be joining an EFL club with a formal announcement expected soon.
But Hyde manager Dave McGurk sees no reason why the 20-year-old cannot go on to establish himself in the professional game.
He said, while reluctant to reveal where Lane will be plying his trade next season: “He’ll definitely make it at EFL level.
“He’s got the ability and the attitude. I’d certainly back him to play in League One or League Two. If he does well there, who knows?
“Every time we played last season, the opposition manager was asking about Paddy.
“It was always a case of, ‘Who’s he? How old is he?’ He got more and more scouts coming down.
“He was subject to five or six offers, which nothing ever came from, but lockdown was a good opportunity for him to go into professional clubs.
“He impressed and he’s going to make a move to one. Paddy won’t be with us next season.”
Lane went on loan to National League North side Farsley Celtic when Hyde’s 2020-21 season was halted.
However, he had been on trial at EFL sides in the past – with Hyde’s knowledge.
He said previously: “It was never a case of me going behind the club’s back or them going behind my back by signing someone else, we’ve always been in open conversation over it.
“I was on trial with EFL clubs and if Covid-19 wasn’t a thing or players hadn’t been injured in those set ups, anything could’ve happened.
“It was to the point where I was certain something was going to happen, then I got told, ‘It’s not going to happen.’
“Ever since I signed, the club has been unbelievable for me and supported me in whatever I’ve wanted to do.”
“Before I got to Hyde, I was like, ‘Am I going to do football, am I not? Is it something I really want to pursue?’
“I’ve always wanted to do it but at Hyde I got confidence in the youth team and I’ve not looked back since I got into the first team.”