Da Silva signs professional handball contract in Portugal
BySportsbeat
Published 29/09/2016 at 16:18 GMT
Essex-born handball player Josh Da Silva has made history by becoming the first player to come through the post-London 2012 England Handball performance programme and sign a professional contract.
Eurosport
Image credit: Eurosport
Da Silva, 19, has signed with Portuguese side AC Fafe, who play in Andebol 1, Portugal's top division.
The former Great Britain under-19 captain also played for the national under-21 side before progressing into the senior setup in recent years.
"I'm really looking forward to the challenge and helping ACF progress this season," he said. "This will be my first taste of professional senior handball.
"I will be competing with some of the best Europe has to offer such as ABC Braga, FC Porto, Sporting Lisbon and Benfica. It is probably the strongest handball league Portugal has ever seen.
"I started to play handball just before the Olympics was about to start when my school entered the London Youth Games. I fell in love with the game immediately.
"By the time London 2012 started I'd already had the chance to play with the England Under-16 development side. Watching the Olympics increased my enthusiasm for handball.
"I could never have imagined four years later I'd be stepping out on court with some of the Team GB Olympians.
"It's been a great honour and I want to keep going, and hopefully GB can compete at the highest level again very soon."
England Handball's CEO, David Meli, said Da Silva's contract was a prime example of the development made by the organisation in recent years.
"It is great news that Josh has signed a contract with AC Fafe," he said.
"Legacy was a buzz-word of London 2012 and Josh is a true example of that legacy.
"We wish Josh all the best as he takes another important step on what promises to be a glittering handball career."
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