Jarrad Branthwaite has spoken of his burning ambition to be an inspiration for children from his home town Wigton.

The Everton defender says he wants to show "football-daft" kids in Cumbria that they can play in the Premier League like him.

Former Carlisle United player Branthwaite scored his first top-flight goal earlier this month when Everton drew 1-1 at Chelsea.

The 19-year-old, who joined the Toffees from Carlisle in January 2020, has now used an article on Everton's website to speak about his local pride.

"I’ve been told there’s more kids back in Wigton, where I grew up, wearing Everton shirts than dressing in Carlisle kits," Branthwaite said.

"I don’t know how true that is – but I would love to be an inspiration for children from the area.

"A lot of them are football daft and, hopefully, they can look at me and see there is a pathway to the Premier League."

Branthwaite also used the article to pay tribute to his parents, Paul and Donna, for the way they have supported him in football.

He said he spoke to Paul shortly after his memorable moment at Stamford Bridge.

The teenager said: "My dad called when we were on the bus home and it was brilliant to have that time talking to him.

"I owe everything to my parents. Their support for me as a kid was unreal, getting me all over the country for away matches, or to Penrith Frenchfield Sports Centre on a Sunday, if it was a home game for Carlisle.

"They devoted so much time to my football and I will always be thankful to them."

Branthwaite said there was a "release of pure emotion" when he celebrated his goal at Chelsea.

The young Cumbrian has also reflected on his route in the game and admitted his progress was not always straightforward.

He spoke about a period when he was in his early teens that he suffered from Osgood-Schlatter disease, when inflammation beneath the knee - caused by growth spurts - caused him to miss about 12-18 months of regular football.

Branthwaite also said he "learned about pressure" in the time when he was challenged by Carlisle to show "how much he wanted" to make the step up to full-time youth team football with the Blues.

"The jump from academy football to League Two was something else," he added. "I made my [league] debut in a game at Plymouth Argyle, with more than 8,000 in the ground.

"Playing in front of crowds and for meaningful points was a completely different dynamic from what I’d been used to."

Branthwaite said his time on loan at Blackburn in the Championship last season had also been a good learning curve - "it is competitive and unforgiving and toughens you up.

"To think I’ve gone from Carlisle to playing for Everton is incredible," he added.

CLICK HERE to read the full article on Everton's website.

CLICK HERE to read our in-depth feature on Jarrad Branthwaite's rise.