IAN Zarac's 'flight of fancy' paid off after being selected to represent Great Britain in the World University Games.

The 23-year-old from Blackburn, who is studying in America, twice flew back to Britain to attend football trials for the Games that take place in Turkey next week.

And the trans-Atlantic dashes paid off for the former St Bedes pupil who was selected for the major competition, which is known as the 'Olympic Games for students.'

Zarac, who is studying a Masters in education at Rollins College in Orlando, said: "My tutor got an e-mail from the coach asking if there were any players interested in attending the trials.

"The first one was held at Christmas so I flew back and visited my family at the same time.

"I flew back again in May for the second trial and was lucky enough to get selected for the squad."

He flies out this week for a warm-up game the Turkish University side before moving in to the athletes village in Izmir where the Games take place. Great Britain have been drawn in the same group as Iran, Mexico and the Czech Republic.

Zarac, who was once on the books at Oldham and Bury, said: "It is every footballer's dream to represent their country at whatever level and I am really looking forward to it.

"It will be a very proud moment for me when I pull on the Great Britain shirt. I think Great Britain reached the quarter finals last time so I will be hoping to at least help them equal that this time."

He is no stranger to national honours having represented Great Britain Colleges on tour to Trinidad and Tobago -- but this is by far the biggest highlight of his football career.

"I've played for the college teams at county and country level but his is by far the highlight," added the striker. "The Games are basically the Olympics for students. As well as football there will be lots of other sports. It's a massive occasion."

Zarac, who is one of a handful of American-based footballers to make the squad, studied a sports management degree at Stetson University for three years before moving on to Rollins College.

He is hoping to settle in America once he has completed his studies and also play A League football.

"A League football is a similar standard to Non League football in this country so I will be hoping to fix myself up with a side. I am currently working as assistant coach of the Rollins College side as you can only play for years of college football while studying in the States."

However, Zarac will get the chance to play football a lot closer to home as he will sign on at Darwen FC where his brother and uncle, Neil and Pete, also play.

"I've been pre-season training with Darwen and I will be available to play for them when I come home. It's been good for me because it is a good way to keep fit for the Games."

The Games, first held in Paris in 1923, are held every two year. They are also known as 'Universiade'which comes from university and Olympiad and means Olympic Games for students.

The Games consist of 10 compulsory sports and a number of optional sports chosen by the host country.

But as far as Zarac is concerned, he'll be 'flying' the flag in football!