Nathan Rooney hopes for AFC Telford launchpad

Hometown ace Nathan Rooney hopes his switch to AFC Telford United will prove a launchpad for an eventual return to the Premier League "bubble".

Woodside boy Rooney has signed a one-year deal at the Bucks following his release by Wolves, where he was the reserve team captain.

The 19-year-old, a former pupil at Thomas Telford School, admits it was a shock to be shown the door from Molineux – but insists it has only fuelled his desire to carve out a successful career in the game.

"You think you're doing so well and big things are on the horizon but it can all come tumbling down very quickly," said Rooney.

"I've played with and against some of the best players in the country and in some of the best grounds.

"But I was in a big bubble at Wolves – everything was there on a plate for you and it's a bit of a shock to come back to the real world.

"I want to get back there, I want to be back in that bubble, and I can only start to do that by being successful here at Telford."

Rooney went on trial at Burton, where he was offered a short-term deal, and had other tentative enquiries.

But the teenager believes Telford are presenting him with the ideal stage to prove he can make it as a professional.

"The stumbling block I've found is that I haven't got any valuable experience in the professional game so I think I need to learn my trade by going down a few levels," he said.

"I think this is the right club for me – there are big things ahead for Telford and, who knows, maybe even a back-to-back promotion could be on the cards.

• Telford have arranged two more friendlies with a trip to Rushall on Monday and Stafford August 1.