A young aspiring footballer from Welwyn Garden City has been given the opportunity to join a private session with Tottenham Hotspur footballer Son Heung-min.

James Shadbolt attended the Spurs Foundation Family Fun Day event on Friday, February 18.

The eight-year-old was picked out of the crowd and was one among 19 other children that joined the session.

James' dad Joe said: "My heart stopped when the team asked if James wanted to play with Son and James was so happy.

"When I rang my wife to explain what was going on, I nearly cried and she was over the moon.

"James loves telling his teachers and friends all about it and loves watching the videos on the Spurs website."

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James has dreamt of being a footballer and would love to meet as many players as possible.

The event was held for Spurs fans and locals around Tottenham, offering visitors the chance to meet some inspiring players, watch a couple of games of football, and enjoy free refreshments.

The football fanatic plays as a goal keeper for the Panshanger Pumas U8s team.

At the event, James wore Hugo Lloris' goalkeeper kit which "the Spurs staff loved, as not many kids wear that."

Welwyn Hatfield Times: James in his Hugo Lloris goalkeeper jersey.James in his Hugo Lloris goalkeeper jersey. (Image: Joe Shadbolt)

Joe added: "His dream is to meet Hugo Lloris and practice with him and be a mascot for a game.

"I'm trying to make this happen for my son, and any help would be appreciated."

At last year's Family Fun Day event, James got to meet Ledley King, a "Spurs legend".

"In Welwyn Hatfield we have Garry Mabbutt who is a Spurs ambassador, and I would love for him and James to meet up to talk football and to see if Garry could surprise James with a visit to the training ground or stadium as a Mascot to a game," Joe added.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: James and Son Heung-min playing football together. James and Son Heung-min playing football together. (Image: Joe Shadbolt)

                                                                                                         

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Joe signed his son up to be in the Spurs Player Development Program in Hertford on Friday afternoons and he trained with Spurs coaches there, but had to stop due to the high cost.

However, during his time there, James won four premium tickets to a Spurs game and this got him "hooked."