How a goalkeeper's van trip ended with a new club
18-year-old goalkeeper Milo Beimers secured a professional contract with Italian club Viterbese after a 2,000-mile journey across Europe in a van. The unconventional approach involved attending multiple trials across different countries to find a new team.
Why it matters
The story highlights the non-traditional and often difficult pathways young athletes take to pursue professional careers.
Image source, Viterbese Image caption, Milo Beimers set off from Belfast with no idea of where his next club would be, but has now signed for Viterbese
When Milo Beimers set off on a van journey around Europe to find a new club, the final destination was always unknown.
Along with his dad Kevin and their converted transit van, the plan was to travel about 2,000 miles from Belfast to Spain , and eventually into Portugal.
The 18-year-old former Glentoran goalkeeper had a number of trials lined up but no idea where the next step of his footballing career would be.
After 30 days on the road, Beimers has signed for Viterbese, who play in a medieval city an hour outside of Rome in Serie D - the fourth tier in Italy.
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