Justin Hanks is a highly-rated member of the Nottingham Forest academy and on Tuesday night he was part of a remarkable result for Wales Under-19s.
The Reds defender scored as the Dragons battered Gibraltar 9-2 in Wrexham during a qualifier for the Under-19 European Championships.
Hanks played in two FA Youth Cup games for the Reds last season. He came on during the semi-final win over Chelsea and played 81 minutes of the final against Manchester United.
The 18-year-old has played four games so far during 2022/23. He has played three times for the under-18s and has also stepped up to play 45 minutes for the under-21s.
Hanks is extremely highly-rated and the Welsh performer looks set for a really bright future at the City Ground.
The centre-back’s goal came in just his second appearance for Wales under-19s and he will now go in search of more goals.
Any youngster that signs for Forest knows they will be in safe hands. Gary Brazil deserves the freedom of the City Ground for the work which he has done on Trentside.
Furthermore, the under-18s must be safe in the knowledge that in Warren Joyce they have a manager who has a track record of nurturing youngsters.
Hanks part of remarkable Wales results
The teenager looks like making waves on Trentside but he probably won’t have many easier games than he had on Tuesday night.
Hanks scored the first goal of a pulsating night, with Wales running out 9-2 winners in Wrexham.
It proved to be a walk in the park for the youngster and his teammates and they will hope to qualify for the Under-19s European Championships.
Hanks simply needs to keep playing well and continue impressing the right people at Forest.
If he does that, there is absolutely no reason why he can’t emulate Joe Worrall and make the jump to the senior ranks in the future.
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