A FORMER Wycombe Wanderers Centre of Excellence player has just signed terms with Championship side Nottingham Forest.

Matthew Cash was part of Blues’ youth set up but was released at the age of 14.

However, the 17-year-old has now signed terms with Championship highflyers Nottingham Forest.

The attacking centre midfielder has been offered a scholarship at the City Ground until the end of the season.

He was only on trial for one week, but did enough to impress Forest bosses in just two games for their U18s against Colchester and Cardiff.

Cash joins Forest from the FAB Academy based at Bisham Abbey in Marlow, which takes players who haven’t made it at a professional club and gives them a second chance.

FAB founder and coach Nas Bashir said: “Matthew was with us for 16 months. He was here five days a week, training seven or eight times a week.

“He improved a considerable amount. The first club I sent him to signed him up after just a week.

“Hopefully he’ll kick on now and play at a high level. I think he could possibly make it in the Premiership “But we’ve got more to come. I’ve got 61 boys on the project at the moment and there is a lot of potential within the group. I’m just waiting for the right clubs.”

Cash is the second player to make it to a professional club after goalkeeper Sam Bunting went to St Johnstone last season.

But FAB isn’t just about making it as a professional.

Bashir said: “We’re giving young players another chance to fulfil their dreams.

“But you’ve got to be realistic and we’ve also got a very good education programme here.

“We know not everyone is going to make it as a player but there are lots of jobs in the sports sector.”

www.fabacademy.co.uk