Lingnan soccer talent to debut in this year’s Soccer Sevens against elite global and local clubs

Recipient of the Lingnan University Entrance Scholarship for Elite Athletes in 2024-25, Edouard Jean-Pierre Cooper Barnes (Ed), a Year 2 BBA student majoring in Marketing and Social Media, is set to make his debut at HKFC - Soccer Sevens 2026 from 22 to 24 May, representing the Hong Kong Football Club Captains’ Select team at Happy Valley.

A total of 16 top-tier overseas and local teams will contest this year's tournament. Drawn in Group A, Ed’s team will face the reigning champions, Dutch team AZ Alkmaar, West Ham United from London, and the Hong Kong China Representative Team. Other powerhouse teams lighting up the tournament include the English Premier League’s Aston Villa, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Leeds United, alongside Rangers FC from Glasgow, and local Hong Kong Premier League giants Lee Man FC, and BC Rangers.

Currently representing HKFC’s Lucky Mile in the Hong Kong First Division League, Ed initially helped the team to its first win in October, coming on as substitute for the last 12 minutes, managing to score the second goal in a 2-1 win over Kwun Tong. However, he was not given a chance to start in his normal striker position until 16 games into the season, when he scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Resources Capital FC. From that match onward, he cemented his place as the starting striker, missing only four games due to suspension, and went on an impressive scoring streak with consecutive goals against Bright Cerulean Football Club, Shatin, Tung Sing, Citizen, and Supreme Football Club, with a remarkable tally of seven goals over the season.

Ed’s consistent performance earned him a nomination from Lucky Mile's head coach, Shinnosuke Kawasaki, and he successfully came through three trials with other players nominated across various Hong Kong FC teams.