The 16-year-old, of York Avenue, Jarrow, battled thousands of hopefuls to bag a place on Wayne Rooney's Street Striker – a nationwide hunt for the best street football talent.

Chris, who went to St Joseph's RC School in Hebburn and is now studying sports science at Gateshead Sports College, showed off his skills at a trial in North Tyneside last month.

The talented teen, who supports Newcastle United, was personally selected by Rooney for his "passion, determination, skill and raw talent."

He now joins 23 other teenagers from around the UK to go head to head in front of the Manchester United and England star on the three-part show, which starts tomorrow.

Chris will take on a series of street football challenges, battling it out to become 2009's Coke Zero Street Striker and win a trip to next year's World Cup final in South Africa.

The teenager, who plays for his college as well as Hebburn Magpies in the Russell Foster Youth League, said: "It was great to play in front of Wayne Rooney.

"He is one of the best strikers in the world, so just meeting him was a massive privilege."

New dad Rooney, who judges the youngsters on the show, said: "Christopher did very well to be selected for the show as the level of competition this year was tough.

"I was really impressed by his ball control skills as he worked really hard on them.

"There are some great street football challenges on the show and they're really not easy. You'll have to watch the show to see how he gets on."

* Coke Zero Presents Wayne Rooney Street Striker starts tomorrow on Sky1 HD and Sky1 at 6pm.