Mason Melia scored his first European goal and grabbed an assist to boot this week ahead of his January move to Tottenham.
Back in February, Spurs agreed a deal for the 17-year-old forward with St Patrick's Athletic worth an initial £1.6million - a record transfer for the League of Ireland - with the potential for add-ons to double that figure. Melia had been one of the most sought-after Irish youngsters and Tottenham overcame competition from top clubs across the Premier League and Europe to land his signature.
The teenager's ability and physical stature is shown by the fact that he has already played 80 senior matches at his young age across all competitions with 23 goal involvements. He also scored on his Republic of Ireland under-21 debut earlier this year.
Melia agreed a long contract with Spurs until 2031 and the north London club have put him on a tailored conditioning programme to prepare him for the rigours of the Premier League when he arrives early next year looking to impress new Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank.
The UK's exit from the European Union means Melia cannot make the move until after he turns 18, which happens in September, so his transfer will officially go through in the January window.
In the mean time the striker has been going from strength to strength with many in the Irish media believing he is already beginning to outgrow the Irish league level. He certainly gave Lithuanian side Hegelmann a torrid time on Thursday night as he starred in the UEFA Conference League first qualifying round second leg for St Pat's.
It was in this competition last summer that Melia's displays convinced Spurs to push past the opposition to sign him and it took just five minutes of Thursday night's tie in Lithuania for him to push past defenders to score his first European goal. He reacted well to get ahead of those around him to touch home James McClelland's saved effort.
It was his involvement in the Irish side's second goal though 11 minutes into the second half that showed what the big teenager is all about. Melia picked up the ball facing his own goal just inside his own half, touched and turned his opponent and drove through the centre of the pitch and when reaching the Hegelmann box, he played a well-timed pass to Kian Leavy. He took a touch and smashed a shot into the roof of the net to make it 3-0 on aggregate in the tie.
St Pat's will now take on Estonian side Kalju in the second round with the first leg taking place at their Richmond Park home on Thursday.
“I’m buzzing with it. Obviously it’s a proper striker’s goal, just follow in. Kian did brilliant, Jay had a great shot and I was just following in, really. A striker’s instinct. I’m buzzing obviously to get the first goal," said Melia on his opening strike.
"I think it was huge [to get an early goal)] Obviously we got the fans going early and it got us going early. It was a good start and that’s what you wanted in any game of football. I’m buzzing."
The Irish side were supported by a big group of 300 noisy travelling fans, including some of Melia’s family. He was so happy with the raucous support still going on behind him that he accidentally swore during his club interview.
"It's really important," said the youngster. "Listen to them there, it's [insert swear word before he covered his mouth as he immediately realised what he'd done]. It's brilliant, it's brilliant. I’m buzzing to have them. And obviously with family here to support me as well it makes it even better."
Melia will make the move to Tottenham in January and the young striker should have 100 senior games to his name by the time he arrives in north London to help that big step up.