Paul Pogba surprise for 11-year-old Jenson Hawkins

Paul Pogba surprise for 11-year-old Jenson Hawkins

The world’s most expensive footballer, Paul Pogba,sprung a surprise on 11-year-old Jenson Hawkins, a year seven pupil at St Cuthbert’s Roman Catholic High School.

Jenson was watching Manchester United play Reading on 7 January and as the players emerged from the tunnel, United fan Jenson caught the eye of his hero Paul Pogba and asked him for an autograph. Just as he was about to sign Jenson’s programme, the players had to be ushered off the pitch. Pogba winked at Jenson who was thrilled even to have been that close to the star midfielder.

When his teacher, Mrs Knight, heard the story, she decided to get in touch with Manchester United to see if Pogba could send an autograph. Within days, the school received signed photographs of not just Pogba, but also club record goalscorer Wayne Rooney, along with three other first team regulars: Jesse Lingard, Marouane Fellaini, and Phil Jones. There was even a signed photograph of club legend Nemanja Vidic.

Jenson, who did not know the club had been contacted, could not believe his eyes when he was presented with the signed photographs.

“I felt so excited,” Jenson said, after receiving the autographs: “It feels like my birthday.”

When asked what he would say to Pogba if he could thank him personally, Jenson simply said: “I’d hug him and say ‘you’re the best guy ever’.”