The son of legendary Australian footballer Tim Cahill has been called up for Samoa for the forthcoming Oceania Under-19 championships.
Radio New Zealand reports that Kyah Cahill, 19, is currently playing in Qatar after stints in England and Spain, but he jumped at the chance to play for Samoa’s junior side.
The 19-year-old told OFC Media he is using his call-up as a way to visit Samoa and get in touch with his roots.
Tim Cahill represented Samoa at the 1994 Oceania Under-20 Championship when he was 14, before going on to play at four World Cups for Australia.
Cahill senior was nominated for the Ballon d’Or for the world’s best players in 2006, and is regarded as one of Australia’s greatest ever footballers. He is Everton’s record goalscorer with 50 goals.
Football is integral to the family with two of Kyah’s uncles, Sean and Chris, both ex-Samoa internationals. Chris Cahill played 15 times for the country and was also its captain.
Kyah Cahill will wear the No.17 shirt which his father wore during his entire careeer.
“(My dad’s advice was) just the same as always really,” explained Kyah. “Just to be myself and play to my strengths and have fun most importantly.”
