On an August afternoon at [ADDRESS] College in [ADDRESS] eight years ago, [PERSON_NAME] first spotted [PERSON_NAME] and [PERSON_NAME] playing for Club NI against [ADDRESS] Under-16s. That friendly marked the start of an international pathway that saw both win senior caps as teenagers under [PERSON_NAME] before establishing themselves at club level. In the summer, [PERSON_NAME] became the most expensive [ADDRESS] footballer ever, joining Fulham for £30m from [ADDRESS], where he moved after leaving [ADDRESS] in 2023.

[PERSON_NAME] recalled seeing immediate potential in [PERSON_NAME] in 2018, noting the pleasure of tracking players from youth level. Eligibility remains crucial for [ADDRESS] given its small player pool. [PERSON_NAME], then head of youth recruitment at [ADDRESS], identified the [PERSON_NAME] brothers—[PERSON_NAME] and younger sibling [PERSON_NAME]—as eligible through their mother [PERSON_NAME] from [ADDRESS]. He connected them with [PERSON_NAME] and the Irish FA, leading to Club NI debuts.

Midfielder [PERSON_NAME], with 35 caps since his March 2023 debut, said [PERSON_NAME]’s early interest left a lasting impression, easing his transition to senior football. [PERSON_NAME] emphasizes scouting the next generation early, supported by [PERSON_NAME], director of elite player development. Cousins added that [PERSON_NAME]’s youth work builds trust, noting [PERSON_NAME] "didn’t have a worry in the world" at [ADDRESS] and "just loved playing football."