Posted On Monday, October 6th, 2025

Giuliano Zannone: A Gap Year in Germany to Accelerate Soccer Development

FacebookTwitterEmail
soccer development in Germany

Nürnberg, Germany

For Giuliano Zannone (19), a young midfielder from Houston, Texas, the decision to take a gap year and pursue an international soccer experience wasn’t just about playing abroad. It was about pushing his limits to accelerate soccer development and growing as both a player and a person.

After competing in the HFA League with Amaanah Lions, Giuliano joined the IFX Soccer trials program in Germany, a move that marked the beginning of a transformative journey. “What motivated me to join the IFX program was that I wanted to challenge myself and get better at soccer,” he shares. That mindset led him to spend his first season training and competing in Germany, where he quickly noticed the difference in intensity and speed compared to the U.S.

Accelerate Soccer Development

A Return to Germany: Embracing the Challenge

Despite receiving offers from local clubs during his first stint, Giuliano made the bold decision to return to the U.S. - but the pull of German football never left him. “I wanted to experience German football more and I decided to come back because I felt like I could get better,” he explains.

Initially joining the Pro Year Germany Half Season program, Giuliano recently made the decision to extend his stay and complete the full 2025–26 campaign with SG Quelle Fürth, a club competing in the Landesliga Nordost – Bayern. The team is currently enjoying a strong season, sitting fifth in the table with 17 points after nine matches, and showing real promise in the league.

Living in the heart of Nürnberg, Giuliano shares a modern IFX apartment with fellow international players, creating a supportive and multicultural environment. This central location offers him easy access to match venues, public transportation, and the language institute where he studies German - all essential elements to live in Germany effectively and stay focused on his goals. The vibrant social and cultural life of the city also provides a healthy balance, contributing to his personal growth and helping him stay motivated in his journey of soccer development.

Growth Through Tactical and Physical Training

The transition hasn’t been easy, but Giuliano is thriving. “The playing style is very different than the USA,” he notes. “It’s more intense and they move the ball very quickly.” Through consistent tactical and physical training, his touch and dribbling have improved significantly — key attributes for a midfielder in the German system.

“The program has helped me with my technique and made me a better person,” he says. Living in Germany has also offered him a quieter, more focused environment to grow. “Off the pitch, I enjoy it because it’s a quiet place.” This calm and disciplined setting has proven to be an ideal setting to accelerate his soccer development, enabling Giuliano to train with purpose and improve key aspects of his game.

Image

Eyes on the Future

Giuliano’s goals are clear: “I want to make the starting 11 this season,” he says. With SG Quelle Fürth off to a strong start, Giuliano is steadily earning minutes and proving his value on the pitch.

Looking ahead, he envisions himself playing in a higher league and continuing to build his career step by step. His advice to other young players considering a similar path? “Keep working hard and don’t give up.”

A Soccer Agency That Opens Doors

Giuliano’s journey is a testament to the power of taking a gap year to pursue international soccer experience. Through the guidance of IFX Soccer, a specialized soccer agency connecting international players with European clubs to accelerate they soccer development, he’s living in Germany, training daily, and building a foundation for a professional future.

Choose the best international soccer immersion program combining international education and football!

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS

Call For More Info
+1 510 599 4625

APPLY NOW

You also might be interested in...

Back To List Of Blogs