Kenzer Lee will be at the centre of the nation's attention when he carries the Olympic Torch through London on Sunday.
The West Ham United first-year professional will run with the flame through his home Borough of Barking and Dagenham after being selected as one of the 8,000 official Torchbearers, joining the likes of Olympic greats Sir Steve Redgrave and Denise Lewis.
The 18-year-old was selected to take part in the 8,000-mile, 70-day long relay for his impressive achievements on and off the football pitch.
After captaining Kingsford Community School to Newham Cup success and skippering the Newham and Essex schools representative sides, the Beckton-born youngster was snapped up by the Hammers as a schoolboy.
The centre-back was a regular for the Under-18s last season, scoring a dramatic winner in an FA Youth Cup third-round victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers, and made more than ten Development Squad appearances.
Lee, who signed his first professional contract in the summer and appeared in the first-team pre-season match at Boreham Wood earlier this month, is also a regular visitor to his old school, where he mentors young pupils.
"In my application to be a Torchbearer, I just explained what I have achieved so far and that I want to show to others, especially those from under-privileged backgrounds, that if you work for something and have determination and enthusiasm that you can get to be what you want.
"I applied but I didn't really expect to be picked, but then I found out the good news that I had been chosen.
"I am really excited about it. My family and friends will be watching and I think you get to keep a replica of the torch after carrying it. It will be a great experience and something to remember for the rest of my life!"
*To read more about Kenzer Lee's role as an Olympic Torchbearer, click here.
