Oceanian players overseas

51 replies · 18,532 views

about 3 years ago

Speaking of Lea'i... the lad seems to be in a good situation in Europehttps://t.co/Khs5wMikJW
— Oceania Football Center (@OceaniaOFCe) January 23, 2023

Sounds like his time in Bosnia might become somewhat more permanent.

...but it was revelead by FK Velež Mostar staff member Adnan Dizdarević that the player is not anymore travelling to Turkey as mentioned before, but indeed the trial is already taking place in the club:

“He will not go to Turkey, he came here to agree on a contract and to play. He went to Turkey last summer, but he had problems with his visa”

Of all the places he could've ended up, I didn't think he'd land is Bosnia on a permanent deal. Good on him though to keep trying to land a pro gig somewhere, sounds like it might finally pay off.

Just as an aside, from my perspective it sounds a little bit like FK Velez Mostar hijacking a deal over their Turkish rivals too (👀).

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about 3 years ago

Raphael Lea’i is the first Solomon Islands player to sign a professional contract in Europe. He’s joined FK Velež Mostar of Bosnia. He’s a very special player and testament to Solomon Islands’ growth and the power of futsal, the game he grew up playing from age 12. pic.twitter.com/d45KeH2IOt
— Paul Watson (@paul_c_watson) January 29, 2023

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about 3 years ago

Bit underwhelming being Bosnia, but congrats to him & the Solomons. The Nix of course having a small hand in his development. But if he found Welly cold, mid winter Sarajevo will be tough for him.

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about 3 years ago · edited about 3 years ago · History

Shame he doesn't have any other passport...the Solomon Islands one wouldn't have helped with getting work permits etc.
Bosnia a slightly underwhelming move but he's now in Europe, so I really hope he gets a chance to prove himself and move on to bigger things.

VUW AFC - Victoria University Football for life

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about 3 years ago

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/moves-for-solomon-islands-players/

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about 3 years ago

Mariners' 'Brick Wall' building strong ALM foundations https://t.co/lZAE6icWFK #football #FTBL pic.twitter.com/9GvlZW1bd2
— FTBL (@FTBLcomau) February 23, 2023

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over 2 years ago

Raphael Lea'i (19,🇸🇧) will leave Velež Mostar.

He came to training and cried, he said he couldn't stay anymore. He wants to be closer to his family.

[@faktorba] pic.twitter.com/ll0sbbNnJE
— Bosniaco🇧🇦 (@BiHFooty) August 29, 2023

Sounds like Raphael Lea’i isn't adjusting to the lifestyle and wants to move closer to home https://oceaniafootballcenter.org/2023/08/29/solomon-islands-star-raphael-leai-shocks-fans-with-decision-to-leave-european-clubb/

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over 2 years ago

Sign him up.

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over 2 years ago

Raphael Lea'i (19,🇸🇧) will leave Velež Mostar.

He came to training and cried, he said he couldn't stay anymore. He wants to be closer to his family.

[@faktorba] pic.twitter.com/ll0sbbNnJE
— Bosniaco🇧🇦 (@BiHFooty) August 29, 2023

I reckon the Roar could have crack at signing him. They still have 2 visa spots open, and he'd be cheap for a club on a tight budget.

I remember some noise Lea'i didn't like Welly's weather when a schoolboy at the Nix Academy. QLD also a bit closer to the Solomons than NZ.

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over 2 years ago

If he had of stuck it out when he was at the Nix academy, he might have learnt a bit more resilience. With his track record now, he'll be getting a reputation of giving up when things get a bit hard for him.
Really needs some one to take him under there wing.

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over 2 years ago

Brissy also has a bit of a Melanesian community (mostly PNG) that could try look after him. He’s probably the biggest sporting star the Solomons has, so he’s maybe feeling some pressure to succeed as well as missing his mum.