Departing Faversham Town teenager Benedict Bioletti on his Football League move to Colchester United

Departing Faversham teenager Benedict Bioletti hopes his rise through the club’s ranks and into the professional game has helped him put the Lilywhites on the map.

Right-sided player Bioletti has signed for League 2 Colchester as he moves away from the Salters Lane outfit he has played for since he was just four.

The 17-year-old had made 38 competitive first-team appearances - a remarkable feat for someone so young - having made his bow in an FA Trophy win over Hertford in 2020.

He had been in regular contact with staff at Colchester throughout the second-half of last season and did enough to earn a professional contract.

“I’m pleased, I’ve just got to keep working,” said Bioletti who is from Newnham, between Faversham and Sittingbourne, and who turns 18 in July.

“Obviously I went on trial and - because I’m under 18 - my dad sorted that out.

“Without the two years of playing for the first-team, it would not have happened.

“I’m glad how it happened, I’m glad I got spotted playing for Faversham.

"It gets them in the spotlight and helps to put Faversham Town on the map, which I’m happy about.”

Bioletti earned his deal with the Essex club having played for their under-18 and under-23 teams.

He explained: “I had a showcase [game] with 30 or 40 players. They then invited me to train. The number of trialists was getting smaller and smaller.

“They asked me to play for the 18s and I probably played about six games for the 23s as well.

“[After the] last game of the season, they called me about an hour after and said they would like to offer me a contract.”

Bioletti first broke into Town’s senior set-up under former manager James Collins as a midfielder, but has since largely deputised at right-back.

“When I first played for