Stuttgart's Germany Under-16 goalkeeper Loris Karius has signed with Manchester City.

Karius will leave Stuttgart on July 1 to move to the City of Manchester Stadium as part of the club’s Under-18 side.

The player’s father, Harald Karius, told Spox: “Manchester City first contacted us after they had attended the German Under-16 side’s game against Macedonia in September 2008.

“We were invited to see the youth and first-team set-ups, the stadium and the area, and they held discussions with his agent.

“We had many offers from England and Germany – 70 percent of Premier League sides wanted Loris.”

He added: “Loris has great talent – if he didn’t, there wouldn’t have been such massive interest in him – but football is all about performances.

“Loris can’t afford to relax. It’s all about hard work.”

City boss Mark Hughes has made his first signing for next season

City have struck an agreement with Schalke 04 for German international star Nils Zander ,the 16-year-old left back who also plays for the national youth team.

Zander will head for City in the summer and be part of their youth set-up, but he is tipped to be knocking on the first-team door sooner rather than later - and is in the brink of the full Schalke side.

Young soccer player earns tryout with Manchester City

Burgeoning soccer star Jack Schembri is getting the chance of a lifetime.

 The 15 year old recently learned he had less than two weeks to prepare for a tryout with Manchester City, one of the world's best and wealthiest soccer clubs.

 "I was pretty overwhelmed. It was such a big surprise because of the sudden notice. I was scared right away."

 Still, it's an opportunity he didn't have to think twice about.

 "Not at all … this is an experience I've always wanted."

 The Blockhouse resident expects to spend two weeks this month training with Man City's academy program, the defending FA Youth Cup champions.

 Still, he's keeping his expectations modest.

 "The least I'd like to get from this is to get invited back at some other point. That would be a pretty big step because [very few] players get a contract from the academy every year. I don't think that will happen this year, but it would be nice to get invited back or at least have a recommendation to help me pursue a soccer career through either an American college or a European academy."