Football prodigy from Angola faces deportation

Since he arrived in Britain two and a half years ago, Danillo Cadete has become the envy of many of his classmates. The 14-year-old from Angola has become the star of the local football team, winning a national competition and getting to meet one of his heroes, the Brazilian legend Pelé.

But Danillo's dreams of playing for his beloved Newcastle United lie in tatters after he learnt that he and his family are soon to be sent back to the southern African country where his father was shot dead.

The civil war in Angola, which claimed 1.5 million lives, ended three years ago, Danillo, known as Danny, fears that he and his mother and younger brother will return to persecution. "All I want is to stay here because I love it. My family are all here and we are scared we could be killed if we go back," said Danillo, who has made a new life in Newcastle.

He added: "I love Newcastle. The people are nice to me and I'm nice to them. I think of myself as a Geordie now. It's difficult for someone who thinks they may be able to realise their dream to be told it could be taken away."

Danillo fled to Britain in November 2002 with his mother, Hermenegilda, who was pregnant with her second son, now aged two. The family, which had received numerous death threats, landed in London but were moved to Newcastle as part of the Government's policy to disperse asylum-seekers. A year later Danillo learnt that his father, Helder Nicolau, 33, had been shot dead in Angola, apparently due to his political beliefs.

The family's plight has also highlighted the failings of the Yarl's Wood detention centre for asylum-seekers near Bedford, which was badly damaged by fire during a riot in February 2002.

An official report into the £100m flagship centre designed to house 900 asylum-seekers concluded that the Government's "ambitious and unachievable" deportation policy was behind the riot and fire.

In March this year the Cadetes were taken to the centre in the middle of the night after being informed that their asylum application had failed. They were held there for 15 days but allowed to return to Newcastle after the intervention of Jim Cousins, their MP.

"The detention centre was like prison. Everything was locked to us except the toilet and my little son didn't eat for days," said Ms Cadete, a former civil servant. "If we go back we are running the risk of being killed and I'm very scared of that. I like it in Newcastle because I like the city and we are used to it now. If we take my youngest son away from here he just says 'home, home' all the time."

The family's deportation has been delayed because of Danillo's involvement in a court case, in which he is a key witness and which is due to end soon. Danillo, who was planning to start his GCSEs next year, said he wanted to make a future for himself and his family on Tyneside.

He is the star of the Red House Farm under-14 side, which has won many trophies, most recently a national 5-a-side competition. Danillo also plays for Newcastle City Boys, a youth team that has been a cradle for professional footballers such as the Newcastle United captain, Alan Shearer.

Danillo said: "I want to be a footballer and I want to play for Newcastle United. My favourite players are Alan Shearer and Kieron Dyer and I want to be like them. But if I don't do football I want to be a lawyer. I came here and wanted to learn English so I did. I did it at school and by reading the dictionary. My new friends have helped me with any words I don't understand."

The Home Office said it would not comment on individual cases. A spokeswoman added: "All asylum claims are given full and careful consideration.

"All failed asylum-seekers who have no right to remain and do not leave voluntarily will be removed."