LeiLanni Nesbeth has signed a one-year deal with Sky Bet Championship side Brighton and Hove Albion.

Nesbeth, who is in England studying at Bedes School in Sussex, will join the club’s under-15 squad at their elite development centre.

Brighton are one of only 20 clubs in Britain that have an elite programme for girls, and Nesbeth is only the second girl from Bedes to be offered a contract by a league club.

The two-sport star has already been signed to the Sussex County Cricket Academy programme at the under-15 level, and Alan Wells, the former England international and head of cricket at Bedes said Nesbeth is “a star in the making.”

“LeiLanni is fully participating in the emerging talent programme and asks the most pertinent of questions to the outside lecturers we get in, demonstrating a real thirst for knowledge and a complete understanding of the subject being discussed,” Wells said. “She recently played in a school indoor girl’s cricket competition and excelled with her all round game.

“She made catching look very simple, struck the ball very powerfully and in the final, which Bede’s won, bowled a triple wicket maiden.”

Neil Speight, Bermuda Cricket Board chief executive officer, said the Board is extremely proud of the progress that Nesbeth is making, and said the BCB would continue to support her development.

“To achieve recognition in both football and cricket whilst keeping a strong academic standard is a remarkable achievement,” Speight said.

“LeiLanni will have the opportunity to play against the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal academies. There is U17 next year if she gets her contract extended at the end of the season.

“This is testament to the work that Mr Leggett [her Bede’s coach] has done with her this season when she has been playing with the Bede’s under-15 boys’ team. The BCB will continue to assist and support her development, and we fully expect LeiLanni will continue to represent herself, her family and her country with pride and honour.”