Two-and-a-half years ago Corrimal's Hayden Durose had never kept goals in a match. Now he is on the verge of becoming a professional.Durose, 16, recently secured a two-year scholarship with English Championship side Nottingham Forest - the final stepping stone to becoming a fully fledged specialist in the cutthroat world of European football.What makes the South Coast United youth grade custodian's rise to prominence so astonishing is that he only took up goalkeeping in 2007.Nevertheless, those in the know - such as 1974 Socceroos gloveman Jim Fraser - quickly liked what they saw in 190cm Durose.Fast forward to six weeks ago when Durose trialled with Forest, Leicester City and Liverpool before earning a call back from the Nottingham club.He was invited back to England during Easter and toured with Forest's academy team to Greece, where they beat their Olympiacos counterparts in a tournament final. Durose's efforts in the Greek Islands and during a follow-up match against the Everton Academy were enough for Nottingham to offer the Year 11 Holy Spirit College student a two-year scholarship that starts in July."I was a defender before I decided to give goalkeeping a go," Durose said."Straight away I was pumped to do it. I started training with people like Jim Fraser."It (the contract) still hasn't sunk in; when I started I wasn't really serious about it but now I love being a goalkeeper."Unlike fellow Illawarra export Alex Baird - who signed with rival Championship side Derby County two months ago - Durose will relocate to the other side of the world without his parents, Steve and Kim.Durose's contract means Nottingham Forest will take care of his accommodation and schooling.However, the demands of playing at one of the world's elite football academies mean Durose is unlikely to return to home soil for two years. "I'm going to miss them, big time," Durose said of his family."I'm going to be so far away and playing so much football so I'll probably be over there for the next two years."I'm grateful my parents allowed me to do this. I'm a bit nervous."Durose who started as an outfield player with Corrimal before a stint at Balgownie, gave up his first sporting love - basketball - to pursue a football career.That, and settling between the sticks, may be the best decisions he has ever made.