Clarke was on the books at Evesham United last season

Evesham's Jamie Clarke will be the youngest member of the Great Britain football team to take part in next month's Deaflympics in Taiwan.

The 19-year-old striker, who has been deaf since he was born, is really excited about the event.

"It's a lifetime dream and I can't believe I'm playing for my country," he told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

The summer Deaflympics are held every four years for deaf athletes from all over the world.

Clarke, who was selected for the squad after trials in October, is optimistic of GB's chances.

"Hopefully we'll win the gold because I'm sure we're good enough to win it; at the moment we are the champions," he said.

He says it is not difficult for the players to communicate when they are on the pitch, even though they cannot hear each other.

"We have to watch the ball all of the time so we know what's going on, but we use sign language all of the time."

The teenager who had to raise £3,000 for the trip to pay for hotels, food and even his tracksuit would one day like to play football at a higher level.

"I've always wanted to be professional and I'm playing for a team that's a few leagues below professional, so I'm not far off and I'm only 19 so I'm going to try my best in the future."

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