The trophy cabinet at East London Soccer School (ELSS) is looking considerably heavier this week after a dominant 2025/26 campaign culminated in a historic "double" for the Under-16 squad.
Central to that success has been Bermudian midfield maestro Solomon Salaam, who played a pivotal role as ELSS secured both the Echo Junior League title and the Echo Junior Cup.
Based in the heart of East London, ELSS has long been regarded as a powerhouse of grassroots football, renowned for unearthing the capital's finest unsigned talent. While they fell just short of repeating their prestigious London Under-16 Cup triumph of two seasons ago—bowing out in the semi-finals this term—their domestic dominance in the Echo Junior circuits has cemented their reputation as a side that expertly blends technical flair with raw physicality.
Salaam has been the heartbeat of that engine room. A well-rounded operator boasting a rare combination of athleticism and tactical awareness, his versatility became a key asset for the East London side. Whether dictating play from deep, driving forward, or even slotting into central defence to shore up the backline, the former North Village Community Club standout has been a mainstay in the starting XI since moving to the UK in 2023.
The young Bermudian’s development is being further sharpened through the Kinetic Academy programme—a high-performance pathway famous for transitioning elite teenagers into the professional ranks. It is a path well-trodden by his compatriots; fellow Bermudian Sincere Hall utilised the same platform before earning his scholarship and professional terms with Hull City.
Salaam’s pedigree on the international stage suggests he is well-equipped for the step up. A key figure in Bermuda’s youth set-up, he helped the Under-14 National Team reach the finals of the Caribbean Football Union Challenge Series in Trinidad and Tobago, before testing himself against the region's best at the CONCACAF Under-15 Championships in Aruba the following year.
As the curtain falls on a spectacular season in London, the eyes of professional scouts will undoubtedly be fixed on ELSS’s latest crop of talent. For Salaam, two trophies and a reputation as one of the most consistent midfielders in the league provide the perfect springboard for whatever comes next in his promising career.
|
