Carlisle footballer Thomas Atkinson says he is “really excited” to have signed for one of Poland’s top amputee teams.

The 19-year-old goalkeeper, who helped England win the Nations League this year, has joined Legia Warsaw on a professional deal.

He will link up with the club next month, having been approached by Legia when he was named goalkeeper of the tournament at the Nations League in Poland in June.

The talented young Cumbrian says it will fulfil a big ambition to play overseas for such a major club.

“Amputee football is a big, professional sport in Poland and, at the Nations League, Legia Warsaw reached out and asked if it was something I’d be interested in,” he told the News & Star.

“It’s something that has always interested me, going to play abroad. I don’t want to spend all my career in England and it’s a new challenge.

“I don’t know how I’ll find it – I might not like it but it might also be the best thing I’ve done. I might as well take this risk now when I’m young.

“It’s one of the biggest teams in Poland so it’s hard to say no. I’m really excited for it.”

Atkinson has been a rising star in amputee football for several years and is one of the top young players in England.

The keeper from Belle Vue, who plays for Portsmouth in the England Amputee Football Association (EAFA) Premiership and Newcastle United in the EAFA Championship, said the chance to play in Poland is a challenge he could not refuse.

“There’s a lot of media coverage, a lot of money in the sport in terms of paying players, good crowds and stadiums,” he said, after agreeing a deal until 2025.

“The set-up in Poland compared with England is massive. Amputee football there is on a different level compared with anywhere else in the world.

“I normally put myself on these standards, that I should be playing for one of the best teams in Europe, but what you hold to yourself and what everyone else thinks are two different things.

“It’s class that another team thinks of me the way I think of myself. It’s amazing to think all the hard work is paying off.

“The job’s far from done, I want to have a long career, but this is one of the things I wanted to achieve.”

Atkinson flies to Poland next month to play for England in a Polish invitational cup in Warsaw, and will stay on after that to get introduced to Legia and do media duties.

“I don’t know all the details yet in terms of whether I will be living out there or flying out there regularly – I’ll find all that out soon,” he said.

“It’s exciting and it’s scary, but I think my parents are more scared about it than I am! You’re living far away from home, you can’t just nip back home if you forget something or are a bit homesick.

“But you don’t know how you’ll find it if you don’t try these things.”

Atkinson added that he is proud to fly the flag for his home city and county as he continues to progress to such high levels in his career.

“I’m a proud Cumbrian, I’ve lived in Carlisle all my life, go to Carlisle games…to know I’m representing Carlisle and Cumbria on the world stage is class,” he said.

“I’m sure I’ll be in a small handful of Cumbrians living in Poland but I’m looking forward to it.”

Atkinson, meanwhile, is in action for Portsmouth against Everton in a title decider at Crewe today, where a draw or victory will see his side finish champions.

He was a childhood star in Cumbria and was referred to the England set-up by the Cumberland FA after being spotted playing in various football camps, including Carlisle United's soccer schools, while he was a Community Sports Trust Football Development student at United.

The goalkeeping star was born without his left hand and later had to have his left leg amputated, and wears a prosthetic leg during matches.