Who is Micah Hamilton? The 'exciting street footballer' who will make Man City debut vs Red Star Belgrade

Micah Hamilton has been named in Manchester City's starting lineup to face Crvena Zvezda in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Having already wrapped up top spot in Group G, Pep Guardiola was expected to tinker with his starting 11, in order to both rest his players and give youth a chance.

It seems Hamilton has been one of the benefactors of the situation, having been handed his first team debut for the contest.

And it has taken the winger just 20 minutes to make his mark, displaying his lightning quick feet before thundering a shot into the roof of the net.

Hamilton has been making inroads into the squad already this season, having been a substitute against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup and against Young Boys in the Champions League.

But who is the Englishman, labelled a 'street footballer'?

Who is Micah Hamilton?

Born and raised in Manchester, Hamilton has progressed through City's academy since joining the club's Under-9 side.

The 20-year-old mainly operates as a left-winger, but can also play as a central or attacking midfielder, as well as on the right.

He is also part of the Unique Sports Group agency, who represent a number of high-profile Premier League players including Reece James, Anthony Gordon and Marc Guehi.

It is not the first time Hamilton has played a key role for Guardiola, though, having previously been a ball-boy at the Etihad.

According to The Athletic's Sam Lee, Guardiola was frustrated about City’s speed of play when taking throw-ins during their clash against Crystal Palace in 2017.

The City boss improvised by telling the ball-boys, including Hamilton to speed up the play once the ball had gone out of play.

Against Crystal Palace in 2017, Guardiola was annoyed about City’s speed of play.

"If there was a foul, no-one went to take the ball and start to play. There was five, ten seconds before someone goes to take the ball and start to play. When this happens everything is slow.”

So… pic.twitter.com/BGrlJplVwe

— Sam Lee (@SamLee) December 13, 2023

Your City line-up! 🩵

XI | Ortega Moreno, Lewis, Stones (C), Akanji, Gomez, Phillips, Kovacic, Nunes, Bobb, Grealish, Hamilton

SUBS | Carson, Grant, Walker, Dias, Ake, Rodrigo, Alvarez, Bernardo, Gvardiol, Foden, Alleyne, Susoho#ManCity | #UCL pic.twitter.com/KHcR5WoF8d

— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 13, 2023

How has he played this season?

Hamilton, who is currently City's Elite Development Squad captain, has made 11 appearances so far this season, registering six assists.

He has made a total of 62 appearances for the academy, scoring 16 goals and providing 16 assists, averaging an impressive goal contribution every other game.

What has been said about him?

Speaking about Hamilton following the youngster's call-up to the first-team for City's clash against Newcastle, EDS coach Brian Barry-Murphy described the forward as a 'street footballer'.

"Micah's probably gone under the radar because he's been injured for a long period," Barry-Murphy said in September (via MEN). "We feel he's coming back into good form and feel he's got a lot more movement in him.

"He can get a lot fitter and if you see him at his best he's pretty unique and has distinct parts of his game which are really exciting. I say to him he's a street footballer, you see Oscar Bobb who's very exciting to watch.

"Micah is the same, someone who can eliminate players one by one, no matter how the game evolves, for a player to be able to beat a player one-v-one is one of the most exciting things."