Whisper it quietly in the corridors of Highbury but one of Arsenal's latest signings is an avid Chelsea fan.

Kylie Wren, 15, from Worthing, is set to train at the club's Ladies' Centre of Excellence in London after out-performing some of the best young football players in England.

The Durrington High School pupil had to complete a series of trials in Watford and Highbury and will now travel to London twice a week for training and matches.

Proud mother Clare said Kylie did not have an easy ride as she rose to the top.

She had to fight her way into the boys' team at Durrington First School because it did not have a girls' squad but she soon proved to be more than a match for the boys.

Now she shows off her skills for her school's girls' team and Arun Ladies, experience which has helped her on her way to Arsenal, nicknamed the Gunners.

Mrs Wren said: "We are so proud, she's not very academic and for her to achieve this has put her on cloud nine - so are we."

Kylie was taught how to play by her father Gary Wren, who used to play for Aldershot FC.

She said: "I'm over the moon, I actually support Chelsea but I'm really pleased to be playing for Arsenal.

"I think it's going to be tough at the start but I'll settle down after I get to know other people."

Kylie's PE teacher Emma Green helped her along the way by using her contacts to get the teenager a trial with the Premiership runners-up.