In this blog, I’ll share the journey of transforming an amateur footballer from a State League player in Australia into a professional player signed with a second-division club in Spain.
I am Alan Deriard, a full-time football agent and the founder of Elite Football, Australia's leading player agency. With years of experience and a network of over 25 professional football clubs across Europe, South America, and the UAE, I've successfully represented hundreds of players, guiding them to professional football.
The Player: Rico Salam
Meet Rico Salam, an amateur footballer who recently signed with Real Oviedo, a prominent second-division club in Spain.
Rico’s journey from an amateur player to a professional contract wasn’t quick; it spanned nearly three years of dedication, trials, and persistence.
The Amateur Footballer Journey Begins
Rico first connected with Elite Football when he attended one of our Melbourne events at the age of 15. At this event, representatives from Celta de Vigo, a top-tier La Liga club, were present to scout talent.
Rico’s performance showed promise, but an unfortunate ankle injury on the second day limited his ability to fully showcase his skills.
Despite this setback, both the Elite Football team and Celta de Vigo recognized his potential.
After the event, Celta de Vigo invited Rico to Spain for an extended trial period. Six months later, Rico was in Spain, participating in a three-month trial with the club’s youth teams.
Trials in Spain
During his time in Spain, Rico quickly impressed the coaches at Celta de Vigo. After just two training sessions with their academy’s international squad, he was promoted to train with their youth team.
Rico maintained this high level of performance throughout his trial, signalling that he had what it takes to advance in European football.
However, after returning to Australia, negotiations with Celta de Vigo became prolonged, ultimately leading to the club withdrawing their interest.
A Setback and a Comeback
Despite this setback, Rico remained determined. About a year and a half later, he attended another Elite Football event in Melbourne, where representatives from Celta de Vigo, Real Oviedo, and Real Avila scouted talent.
This time, Rico performed exceptionally well, was free from injury, and was selected by all three clubs.
Given his previous experience, Rico pursued an opportunity with Real Oviedo. Earlier this year, he travelled to Spain for a one-month trial, this time with the full sponsorship of the club.
Signing with Real Oviedo
Rico's time with Real Oviedo was a resounding success. He trained with their youth teams, competed in the prestigious Oviedo Cup, and delivered impressive performances in his matches.
After extensive discussions between myself, my father Mauricio, and the directors of Real Oviedo, Rico secured a one-year contract with the club.
This achievement marked a significant milestone in his football career, highlighting the importance of persistence, resilience, and hard work.
Rico Salam's journey from amateur footballer to signing with a professional club in Spain is a testament to what can be achieved with the right guidance, dedication, and support.
At Elite Football, we are proud to have played a pivotal role in his success and look forward to helping many more players realise their professional football dreams.
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Elite Football can guide you if you're an amateur footballer aiming for a professional career. Contact us for a free consultation and start your journey today! 👇👇
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