Yeah bit of an odyssey. He actually went without parents - with me and 5 other players, his mum stayed at home in NZ (dad working in Korea). His parents have always been super supportive of his football though. They really encouraged him to chase his dream. Hopefully he can make a success of it in Austria.
Young Kiwis Outside the UK
Yeah bit of an odyssey. He actually went without parents - with me and 5 other players, his mum stayed at home in NZ (dad working in Korea). His parents have always been super supportive of his football though. They really encouraged him to chase his dream. Hopefully he can make a success of it in Austria.
Fantastic insight - Welcome to the forum as well. 👏
Yeah bit of an odyssey. He actually went without parents - with me and 5 other players, his mum stayed at home in NZ (dad working in Korea). His parents have always been super supportive of his football though. They really encouraged him to chase his dream. Hopefully he can make a success of it in Austria.
So if I can ask, as this may matter down the track - he fully considers himself a Kiwi? Family still in NZ? Must be a bit of buzz to see a kid you coached for a time, playing in Europe.
My aunt who lives in Mt Eden actually teaches young Korean kids English, after school hours. Lots of Auckland Grammar, Mt Roskill students. And yes often one or both parents are back in Korea.
Yeah bit of an odyssey. He actually went without parents - with me and 5 other players, his mum stayed at home in NZ (dad working in Korea). His parents have always been super supportive of his football though. They really encouraged him to chase his dream. Hopefully he can make a success of it in Austria.
So if I can ask, as this may matter down the track - he fully considers himself a Kiwi? Family still in NZ? Must be a bit of buzz to see a kid you coached for a time, playing in Europe.
My aunt who lives in Mt Eden actually teaches young Korean kids English, after school hours. Lots of Auckland Grammar, Mt Roskill students. And yes often one or both parents are back in Korea.
I was trying to dig up some old footage - winding back the years here - and here is him playing futsal with Adam Bell and Ilham Hameedi (Auckland City) as 11/12 year olds. It was a great team. You can see Seoram doing some dribbling at 00:40 and a nice goal 02:00.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn1HiphtKsU
Yes proud to see Seoram still having a good crack at it... he has natural talent + a really determined guy, really resilient and full of self-belief. I think he has had more life experiences than most other kiwi 19-year-old players as he's either trained or played in 6 countries already (Chile/Brazil/Spain/Germany/Croatia/Austria). Somewhat of a "journeyman" already lol. And many of these he has been on his own in a foreign country, not knowing the language. I think that has built a lot of mental toughness in him. He could have quit a few times when things weren't going his way.
Hopefully he can keep progressing his career and take his chance there. Credit to his parents honestly because they are are so supportive BUT crucially they as far as you can get from "helicopter parents" and "lawnmower parents"... i guess they are more "free range" i.e. they gave their blessing for him to go to Brazil at 12, to Chile by himself at 15/16, and then give him the confidence to live in Croatia, Spain, Germany and now Austria for multiple years by himself to chase his dream. I think that's made Seoram really independent and mature for his age. Just my two cents. The mentality of the parents shapes the mentality of the player.
I imagine in Korean culture there is a lot of pressure on young kids to study hard, go to uni & choose a 'respected' occupation blah blah. Good on him to sticking in there, and hopefully he 'makes it' in football.
Edit - wonder if he can avoid the compulsory military service young Koreans normally have to do. Maybe a Kiwi passport is handy to get around that??
Sounds like a real well rounded chap. Head on his shoulders, start from the ground up type, which is awesome to see. A lot more of the aspirational footballers from this part of the world would do well to take this 'path less trodden' approach. It's not all just heading off to England and Italy, Spain etc - There are lots of fantastic opportunities beyond those borders in Europe.
Hope he goes well, and will be keeping an eye out for him.
If you keep an eye out on his Instagram btw he posts up stories about how he's travelling in the pre season and it looks like he's being given plenty of opportunity. Also note the very young average age of the first team over there too. 👀
Once again, great information. Keep checking in on the place, always refreshing to see a new face.
I imagine in Korean culture there is a lot of pressure on young kids to study hard, go to uni & choose a 'respected' occupation blah blah. Good on him to sticking in there, and hopefully he 'makes it' in football.
Edit - wonder if he can avoid the compulsory military service young Koreans normally have to do. Maybe a Kiwi passport is handy to get around that??
He's not a dual citizen. Only holds a NZ passport going off of our chats.
Although I'm sure one could be obtained?
I keep in touch with Seoram pretty regularly so will drop in here every now and again.
He told me that they had 5 pre-season games so far and he played in 4 of those, got 2 goals and 3 assists.
I'm heading over to Europe next year at some point so will try make the trek across to Austria to see him.
A far cry from Antonio Nocerino, though arguably more prepared than the former Italian footballer.
Only a one year contract, too, which makes you wonder what kind of development plan the club has for their young 'uns.
He's still with Potenza U21 (Primavera) in the 3rd tier of Italian youth football as far as I know
Till Estermann now at FC Solothurn in the Swiss 1.Liga Classic (4th tier) having moved from the Neuchâtel Xamax U21's, who are in the same group. Permanent move by the looks.
And out of left field, but it seems that Sebastian Barton-Ginger was in Latvia recently practicing/trialling(?) with last season's Virslīga Champions Valmiera FC.
Although it seems he's back in Wellington again after turning out in Cap Prem for Miramar over the weekend.
NZ U17 Midfielder Konstantino Gorgiovski has left FK Belasica and has joined FK Pobeda AD Prilep (🇲🇰 | ФК Победа АД Прилеп) in the Macedonian Second League (2.MFL)
— YoungHeart - 🇳🇿🏴 (@YoungHeartHM) August 13, 2023
He started on the bench this morning, but came on to debut in a 5-1 win over FK Teteks Tekovo. #KiwisAbroad pic.twitter.com/JlxaJgVkFy
Cool to see former Birkenhead United & Takapuna AFC youngster Bronson Sammut (2005) link up recently with the Bundesliga Talent Squad for 1.FC Köln.
— YoungHeart - 🇳🇿🏴 (@YoungHeartHM) September 7, 2023
A proper world class football academy and residential program for footballers chasing the pro dream.
📸 | socceringermany pic.twitter.com/iwdMXsPT8V
https://www.transfermarkt.com/john-higashi/profil/spieler/786988
https://twitter.com/JohnHB_52
https://www.transfermarkt.com/john-higashi/profil/spieler/786988
https://twitter.com/JohnHB_52
I'm assuming Kiwi/Japanese parents?
https://www.transfermarkt.com/john-higashi/profil/spieler/786988
https://twitter.com/JohnHB_52
About a month ago. 😉
But it's all good, I share the disappointment as thats a low level over there. Who knows, maybe he'll have a blinder of a season with regular first team game time and make a move up the tiers over the next couple of years.
Jack Van Luijken, formally of the Go Ahead Eagles u23 team, has signed for MASV Arnhem. They play in the Dutch FIFTH tier, not even the highest level of amateur football there.
Hopefully just a stepping stone for him to move on to bigger and better things.
Jack Van Luijken, formally of the Go Ahead Eagles u23 team, has signed for MASV Arnhem. They play in the Dutch FIFTH tier, not even the highest level of amateur football there.
Hopefully just a stepping stone for him to move on to bigger and better things.
We shouldn't get too hung up on young players in European youth teams, given how many thousands of kids are in academies but never play for that team at senior level. Basically every club in Europe has a U23s, U19s, U17s etc with a full squad, in addition to the senior squad. Think how many kids the Phoenix churn through and they cater to a whole country essentially, these clubs are often in cities of 200k or less.
As for down the road in Nijmegen, Kian Donkers didn't play in NEC U21s first match, and I don't think he did in the second (can't be certain because voetbal.nl has some players' names hidden, so he may possibly be a hidden name). Bad to say, but hopefully it's just a minor niggle or something stopping him, because if he's not breaking into a U21 side...
Also, is there any word on Norman Garbett? I remember he was on Jason Pine's ZB show after the Guatemala game and he said he was off-contract and technically a free agent during that game. He doesn't follow Potenza on Instagram (I don't know if he previously followed them though). Their U19s don't start until this weekend, so could find out where he is quite quickly, but he hasn't been on a 12-or-so man bench for the senior team in Serie C. Nowhere obvious that he's been trialling at or anything, nothing like a whole bunch of players starting to follow him from the same club. Wait and see, I guess.
Same level (different group) as former Auckland City and Manukau United player Maro Bonsu-Maro who has turned up in Switzerland for FC Coffrane.
https://www.rtn.ch/rtn/Sports/Football/20230909-Coffrane-monte-dans-le-wagon-de-tete.html#
We might know more after the Primavera 3 League kicks off this weekend
Bronson Sammut (🇳🇿 - 2005) has finished up his residential program with the FC Köln Football School and their Bundesliga Talent Squad.
— YoungHeart - 🇳🇿🏴 (@YoungHeartHM) September 28, 2023
Trials in Germany ✅
High quality coaching and training daily ✅
Headed back to New Zealand for now, but the next chapter is loading. ⏳ 📈 pic.twitter.com/GguEc6BLPt
Seo Ram Lee - LW (🇳🇿🇰🇷 - 2003) is starting to see reward for the WSG Tirol U-23's after his move to 🇦🇹 from 🇩🇪 earlier this year.
— YoungHeart - 🇳🇿🏴 (@YoungHeartHM) October 9, 2023
His first goal 📽️ v SC Schwaz in a friendly last week.
His second goal 📽️ v SV Wörgl in the Landesliga Tirol over the weekend.
1/2 pic.twitter.com/w25fmgAawJ
Bit of a progress update on Seo Ram Lee and his recent fortunes over in Austria.
Will keep ya's posted. 👀
I wonder if he's injured maybe. You'd expect someone to have picked him up if he left Potenza. The mystery continues
Dublin Boon (18, Goalkeeper), formerly of Nomads United was on the bench for Roda JC in the Eerste Divisie this morning!
Young Kiwi goalkeeper Dublin Boon (18) from Southern League side Nomads Utd in Christchurch on the bench for Roda JC in the Eerste Divisie for the first time.
— Simon Chrétien (@si_chretien) November 3, 2023
Roda JC currently top of the Eerste Divisie. https://t.co/jpg4mDARrd
I wonder if he's injured maybe. You'd expect someone to have picked him up if he left Potenza. The mystery continues
can confirm he’s not with the club unfortunately - no idea where his next destination is however!
Dublin Boon (18, Goalkeeper), formerly of Nomads United was on the bench for Roda JC in the Eerste Divisie this morning!
Young Kiwi goalkeeper Dublin Boon (18) from Southern League side Nomads Utd in Christchurch on the bench for Roda JC in the Eerste Divisie for the first time.
— Simon Chrétien (@si_chretien) November 3, 2023
Roda JC currently top of the Eerste Divisie. https://t.co/jpg4mDARrd
Actually a Dutch Cup game, Roda JC losing 5-3 at top tier NEC 5-3.
https://yellowfever.co.nz/categories/kiwi-players-overseas/topics/young-kiwis-outside-the-uk/page/19?highlight=post_1435581
Looks like Roda's normal backup keeper was in goal, hence the promotion for Boon onto the bench.
https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/12/08/netherlands/eerste-divisie/roda-jc/jong-psv/4097387/
More info on him:
https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2023/11/08/nomads-united-keeper-dublin-boon-signs-for-dutch-second-division-club/
Has made only seven match day squads for two sub appearances in NEC Nijmegen u-21's 14 matches this season:
https://www.transfermarkt.com/kian-donkers/leistungsdaten/spieler/953397
Was given one minute on 25 November and two minutes on 7 October and ws on the bench the weekend before last.
I wonder if he's injured maybe. You'd expect someone to have picked him up if he left Potenza. The mystery continues
can confirm he’s not with the club unfortunately - no idea where his next destination is however!
I spend way too much time looking for news on him most weeks. Even messaged his dad but he hasn't replied. I wonder if he's keeping an injury on the down low or simply wanted to step up from Primavera 3 (understandably), but hasn't quite found the right place.
One thing is for sure, not playing at his age can be detrimental to his progress.
I wonder if he's injured maybe. You'd expect someone to have picked him up if he left Potenza. The mystery continues
can confirm he’s not with the club unfortunately - no idea where his next destination is however!
I spend way too much time looking for news on him most weeks. Even messaged his dad but he hasn't replied. I wonder if he's keeping an injury on the down low or simply wanted to step up from Primavera 3 (understandably), but hasn't quite found the right place.
One thing is for sure, not playing at his age can be detrimental to his progress.
YoungHeart posted the below that Antonio Nocerino, Norman's former youth team coach at Potenza Calcio, has scored coaching gig with USL club Miami FC (not to be confused with Beckham's MLS outfit Inter Miami). Likely a stretch for Garbett jnr to jump to that level, but you never know.