4 Things AC Milan Fans Should Know About Rising Star Marcello Jones

Marcello Jones is not the biggest name at AC Milan's academy. But the English teenager is starting to impress, joining the youth team in international tournaments, and he is close to landing a professional contract with the Serie A club.

It all started with a birthday trip when he was 14 years old. Jones' mother brought him to Milan for a summer training camp, and academy director and former Milan player Filippo Galli saw enough to offer the kid from Cornwall, England, an education and other accommodations on the spot, according to the Daily Mail.

He couldn't say no. Three years later, he's training with Milan's U-17 team, playing against the youth of Real Madrid and Barcelona while speaking perfect Italian. (His mother is half-Italian, after all.) 

"I just have to wait and see if the club want me to stay on now," Jones told the Daily Mail. "I’d very much like to still be here next season."

'I'm a No. 10'

Jones told the Daily Record that he has followed two players in particular, one former and the other current: Henrik Larsson and Luis Suarez. Jones grew up watching Celtic, so naturally Larsson became a hero.

Instead of playing as a striker, Jones likes to assume a more creative role in the lineup. He slots himself in the hole as the No. 10 with the Milan youth team. 

Overcame several rejections

It wasn't easy for Jones to get to this point. Like many other kids, he was rejected for being too small. He had training stints at Plymouth Argyle and Southampton, but he couldn't stick with either. 

But his commitment never wavered. He would wake up at 3 a.m. "to travel and play games," per the Daily Record, "regularly staying in B’nBs, and by 12 [years old] was well on his way to putting in the recommended 10,000 hours to the sport."

It was just two weeks after Southampton had rejected him that Milan approached Jones with a deal.

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English teenager Marcello Jones dreams of landing a contract with AC Milan | @Matt_Lawton_DM http://t.co/JBthDmZ17t pic.twitter.com/9qAmu9yUqb

— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) May 11, 2015"

"Once the invite came to join Milan I couldn’t turn it down," Jones said. "It was a fantastic opportunity to join one of the best clubs in the world and immerse myself in a new culture and learn a language."

His family have connections with Italy, as he is lives in Milan with his aunt. His mother also spent time living in the country.

Boasts international experience

The biggest part of this footballing education has to be the tournaments. He travelled with the team to Qatar, facing sides from Argentina, England and Spain. 

Jones is part of the under-17 squad, but he has spent some time playing with the under-18s, even scoring in one of his recent appearances, per the Daily Mail. 

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Marcello Jones, 16, who has spent three years with AC Milan, is ready to commit his international future to Scotland. pic.twitter.com/BDixOqfac2

— Scottish Soccer Show (@ScottishSoccer) May 16, 2015"

It also meant training under Filippo Inzaghi, the under-fire first-team coach of AC Milan. Inzaghi had been coaching the youth teams the two years prior, and Jones enjoyed the experience.

"It was great to learn from someone of his stature," Jones said. "He has so much passion."

Hoping to land pro contract

Now is the wait. Jones has been at this kind of crossroads before: whether a club keeps him or not. 

He would like to stay in Milan. He has found a place to settle after searching so long during his formative years for a home in football.  

Nonetheless, he should know his future in a few weeks. "I’m in talks with Milan about a new contract and I believe they’re keen," he told the Daily Record.