Former Orlando Pirates striker Lyle Foster joins a number of the world’s best young talented players – including Ansu Fatu, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, Alphonso Davies, Erling Haaland and Jaden Sancho – to be nominated for the European Golden Ball.

The 19-year-old is currently on the books of French Ligue 1 giants AS Monaco but he has spent the 2019-20 season on loan at Belgian Pro League side Cercle Brugge after sealing a move to France from Orlando Pirates.

Foster, who started the first two games of the season at Monaco alongside the likes of Cesc Fabregas, became the youngest PSL debutant back in 2017 before making the move to the French side.

However, when a number of high-profile strikers arrived at Monaco, Foster decided to join Cercle in search of some game time.

The forward has managed to score just one goal and register just one assist in Belgium thus far, but this did not stop the young South African from catching the attention of Italian football publication Tuttosport and its partnering journalists for the top 100 candidates for the 2020 Golden Ball award.

The award is presented annually to the most impressive player under the age of 21 from across Europe’s top divisions, and is voted for by journalists from various top football publications on the continent.

Foster is unlikely to win the award given the other candidates nominated, including Ajax Cape Town youth graduate Lassina Traoré who is now with Ajax AFC, but a nomination is nonetheless reassurance that he is on the right path.