12-year-old striker enjoying time with Villarreal

Neville Knowles III, a United States-born Jamaican striker, has been enjoying his time in Spain since joining the Villarreal CF Academy in December 2023. Knowles currently has nine goals in 17 games with Villarreal.

Knowles was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and from an early age, he had shown clear potential in football. He represented the Gwinnett Soccer Academy (GSA) at the age of four and by age 10, he was scouted by Atlanta United Major League Soccer (MLS) Academy.

He was also under the tutelage of former Reggae Boyz defender Desmond Smith.

After a year with the Atlanta United under-12 team, Knowles make the move to Spain to gain international experience in his youth career. In January of last year, he joined the International Development Academy (IDA).

At IDA, Knowles spent his time training in team sessions with players of his age group as well as sessions with IDA under-18 squads.

Following approval by FIFA, he started playing in Spanish league games with UD Vall De Uxo, a partner club with IDA.

In November of last year, he was invited to join training sessions at Villarreal CF Academy and impressed the coaches at the club. Within a month, Knowles was offered and signed a two-year contract with Villarreal CF Academy.

In his first five months at Villarreal, Knowles has become a main stay in the Spanish club's academy team, making 17 appearances with nine goals to accompany his game time, including two goals in his debut.

According to a press release from his team, Knowles holds aspirations of one day representing Jamaica at the senior level.

"Neville dreams of one day playing for the Jamaican national team which will make his Jamaican father and his trainer Desmond Smith, a former Jamaican team player, very proud," the release read.