Luka E. Chalwell signs professional football contract with UK club - Becomes first professional footballer from the VI

EASTLEIGH, Hampshire, England- Luka E. Chalwell has become the first born and bred [British] Virgin Islander to be a professional footballer, after he signed a contract on Thursday, June 15, 2023, to join Eastleigh FC in the English National League.

Chalwell, a product of the BVI Football Association (BVIFA) development pathways, started under the watchful eye of Coach John Reilly, flourished in the BDO Schools League, and blossomed in the BVIFA Youth teams before earning his first full international cap in the Concacaf World Cup qualifier against Guatemala in 2021.

Since then, he has represented the territory in the Concacaf Nations League and has been in England learning his trade at clubs such as Poole Town, where he scored a hat trick in the FA Youth Cup, before getting his chance with the Eastleigh Elite Development Programme courtesy of a recommendation to Lee Bradbury, Manager of Eastleigh FC, from the VI National Coach Chris M. Kiwomya, who has also been working with Chalwell on improving his all-round game.

Chalwell ‘has a good chance of making the first team’- Kiwomya

According to a press release from the BVIFA today, June 19, 2023, Chalwell impressed both Kiwomya and Eastleigh with his work ethic and has also shown an exemplary attitude to gain his chance, as well as being rewarded for his undoubted talent. He also showed a willingness to listen to Coaches and Mentors alike and benefitted from being able to work with Kiwomya.