Twitter sensation Eddie Smith has earned his junior football team kit sponsorship from Southern Railway.

The Croydon teenager proved a huge hit with his unique style when he took charge of Southern’s twitter account during his work experience with the rail operator this year. His social media stint generated interviews with international media and a guest appearance on Channel 4’s The Last Leg.

Southern wanted to reward Eddie, but at just 15 years of age he is too young to be paid. As part of its community support activities the company had already pledged a donation towards the cost of new kit for Whyteleafe FC Under 16s, the team Eddie plays for, so it raised the amount to cover full sponsorship.

Whyteleafe Under 16s manager is Eddie's older brother Tom Cope, a train driver with Southern who helped secure Eddie’s work experience. Tom said: “We were thrilled when Southern wanted to sponsor the football team as a thank you for all his hard work on Twitter.

"His teammates spent the first few sessions having photos with him and forwarding them on to other friends as they wanted a picture with the main man.

"When we travel around South London we often get asked why our shirts have #AskEddie on them.”

The new white kit had a winning debut earlier this month, in a pre-season tournament hosted by Old Coulsdon Colts FC at Coulsdon, Surrey. Whyteleafe, with Eddie at right back, won the final 1-0.