Premier League star reveals outrageous 2500/1 bet grandfather placed on him 26 years ago

Fulham star Harry Wilson left Peter Crouch stunned by telling him about the extraordinary bet his grandad placed on him when he was just 18 months old.

Wilson, who came through the ranks at Liverpool, signed permanently for Fulham in a £12 million deal in 2022 and has made 148 appearances in the Premier League.

The 28-year-old has also been capped 67 times for Wales and after his hat-trick against North Macedonia last time out, will be key in their upcoming World Cup semi-final play-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina as Craig Bellamy's men look to qualify for the tournament for the third time.

Wilson has been playing for Wales since the age of 16, having been handed his debut by Chris Coleman against Belgium in 2013 despite reported interest from England.

His first outing also Peter Edwards, his maternal grandfather, pocket a whopping £125,000.

That's because back in 2000, when Wilson hadn't even turned two yet, he placed a 2500/1 bet on his grandson playing for Wales one day.

Edwards noticed how well he was striking a ball and proceeded to go into a William Hill bookmakers and put on the almost unprecedented £50 wager.

13 years later and Wilson's first game for Wales in Brussels saw his grandad collect the huge sum while he was working in Exeter in his caravan.

Harry Wilson made his Wales debut in 2013. Image: Getty

Telling the story on That Peter Crouch Podcast, Wilson said: "Growing up in my childhood I spent a lot of with my nanna because my mum and dad worked full-time. When my grandad came home on weekends, he just said each weekend he could see me getting stronger kicking the ball or the balloon around the living room, wherever it was.

"He went into the William Hill shop in Wrexham and asked if he could put a bet on his grandson to play for Wales. The woman behind the counter said, 'Sorry, that's kind of over my head - you're going to have to ring the headquarters in London.

"I think it took a couple of months to go through but they gave him 2500/1. I was 18 months old."

Crouch was almost in disbelief, replying: "You were 18 months old?! He was f***ing some scout by the way!"

Wilson continued: "Honestly it was crazy. He put £50 on it. My uncle put £20 on it and my dad didn't put on any so I'm always having a little dig at my dad.

"I thought I had to start a game. The night in Brussels, my mum and dad were out there. After the game I've come out and seen them and my mum was like, 'Grandad's retiring in the morning!'

"I'm pretty sure he was in Exeter that night in his caravan working and saw me get on the pitch in Brussels."

Wilson's grandfather retired one year earlier than anticipated following the "daft bet". He would have been entitled to a payout if Wilson had chosen England after an agreement with William Hill was made.

Wilson could be on the move in the summer

After a successful loan spell at Craven Cottage, Wilson signed a four-deal which is set to expire on 30 June. He has been linked with joining a number of clubs on a free transfer, with Everton, Leeds and Aston Villa among the Premier League sides keen on Wilson.

There is even speculation that a fairytale move to Wrexham could happen if they secure promotion to the Premier League this season.

Fulham are still hopeful of coming to an agreement on a new deal and Wilson has said he does not want to focus on his contract situation at present.

"I think that's natural talk but I don't try and listen to that," Wilson told BBC Sport Wales.

"I try to concentrate on games. I don't want any distractions. My job is to play football.

"The contracts and transfer talk and that comes with that, but I think I try and leave that to my agent, especially with big games coming up. That's all I want to be focussed on."