A journalism student has quit his course to take up a football scholarship in America.

Oakley Hanger, who was studying at Southampton Solent University, is making the move to the USA to study business management.

Wing back Oakley, pictured below, has also left Southern League football club Dorchester Town to make the move, and was previously on the books of Football League side Yeovil Town.

He will move to Saginaw Valley State University, in Michigan, in August.

Oakley told the Dorset Echo: “As a 14-year-old lad playing Sunday League and with Yeovil, it’s always been a dream.

“For it to come around now, it’s great. I’m not worried about it, it’s something that I have to take in my stride. I can’t not enjoy it.”

To get into Saginaw Valley, he had to send footage of his time playing for Dorchester to an agent, who in turn sent it to coaches all over the USA.

Oakley added the his decision came partly as a necessity after struggling to combine his studies in Southampton with playing for Dorchester, who compete at the sevetnh level of English football.

He continued: “When I was in Southampton, I was travelling back to Dorchester to play three times a week and I felt my grades were compromised and so was my football.

“I didn’t have a great season and I didn’t feel I could’ve done a second season at university and play for Dorchester.

“This opportunity will mean I’m on campus whilst still playing at a high standard. It should mean my grades won’t take that hit, which is important to me.

“I didn’t want to keep playing football and have nothing to back it up.”