Youth soccer player signs £1m record deal

UK schoolboy footballer Tyler Rix scored a £1m (€1.1m) four-album deal today.

Londoner Tyler Rix, who has played for West Ham’s Academy, signed the deal with Universal Music on the turf at Upton Park.

The 16-year-old saxophonist was discovered by record executives when he took part in BBC2’s Classical Star TV talent programme.

Tyler had a tough decision of his own to make – whether to pursue football or music.

Then aged 15, he had experienced a string of successes as a footballer.

Snapped up on the day of his trial, he played several times at Upton Park and was prominently featured in Junior Soccer, a coaching guide produced in association with West Ham United.

Tyler said: “I always knew that one day I would have to choose between my music and my football commitments.I could never have dreamt of making that choice in such a spectacular way."

”Tyler Rix is a sensational talent,” said Dickon Stainer, managing director of Universal Classics and Jazz." We’re very glad he chose music. It’s better than playing at left back.”

The deal comes at a busy time for Tyler, who is taking his mock GCSE exams. His debut album, 'Ascent', is released on February 2.