Youth IFX player Eugene Heger voted as a Top Eleven of the week in Germany

Before heading to Germany, Eugene was playing for Rise SC 02B Elite IC (Southern Regional Premier League) but then decided to come to Germany to enhance his soccer development as part of his long term plan to attend college with a strong men´s soccer program once he comes back. “If I maintain good grades, continue to improve in soccer and spend a year in Germany as part of the IFX program then I will be able to attend school at almost any college of my choice”. Furthermore, he would like to pursue a career in the business of sport. He dreams to get a job at FIFA.

“When I first came to Germany, I was expecting the soccer here to be very rough and physical, prioritizing larger and bulkier players who could win headers and win challenges. However, what I have found is that the best teams here play very quick one and two touch soccer and they rely on smarter, technically-skilled players to exploit the defense rather than simply trying to use “kick-and-run” tactics. This suits my style of play much better as I am a bit smaller, but I am very good technically and have a good tactical awareness of the game”.

As for the educational aspect of the IFX program, Eugene attends Kaiserin Augusta Schule which is an all-German language gymnasium in Köln. Both the teachers and students have been extremely friendly and helpful throughout his time in Germany. “I have soccer practice on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday with games on Saturday or Sunday. I take the S-Bahn to and from practice/home games and I go either with the rest of my host family or with the team bus to away games. I spend a lot of my free time here playing soccer and board games with my host family, along with exploring the city and hanging out with my friends from school. Heger declared himself as soccer mad. He enjoys both watching sports on television and reading about sports in the newspaper or in magazines.

“I decided with my parents that I was ready and willing to be a part of this program. I did it because I thought it would be a fun year to maybe get better at soccer and be able to put something unique on my college résumé. What I have gained from this experience so far, though, has been completely different. I have been able to learn a new language, meet new people, learn about a new culture, and learn more about myself as a person. I would like to say that I am currently really enjoying my time here in Germany. I am very satisfied with mostly everything going on right now, especially because tomorrow is Karneval here in Cologne. My host family, my school, and my football team have all been pretty good. I have learned so many things about both myself and Germany, and I am just having a good time here”.

Youth Year IFX is a unique soccer training program which allows youngsters from all around the world the possibility to access to a high-quality soccer training with real soccer German clubs while they continue their academics. To live and experience the language while living with a carefully selected host family, makes your process of immersion more pleasurable and secure. Experiencing it will create a lifetime of memories. Apply now and experience it for yourself!