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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT...For any US based parent out there thinking that their kid will play in Europe under the age of 16, PLEASE PLEASE read ALL of the FIFA rules regarding international transfers of minors.  Not going to happen unless you fall under some of the exception clauses (family moves for non football related reasons etc.).  Not to mention, even if your kid did fall into one of the exceptions, do not underestimate how good your kid will have to be for any European pro academy to overlook their own (i.e. citizens of that country) for your, American, son.  They would have to be one of the top players on the team to displace someone. And to be very honest, that is pretty rare.  Not saying it is impossible but it is rare.  So, for the parents that send their kids to Europe to play youth tournaments under the age of 16 thinking that a European club will spot them and say OMG I must have this player, now you know that this will probably never happen absent FIFA exceptions. The wisdom of those experiences is a completely different topic that deserves another thread.

ANOTHER PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT - Passport is pretty much irrelevant under the age of 16 even if you are transferring to the country where you have a passport.  The amount of times I've heard "oh he has a European passport" like that was the dispositive factor to playing European youth football is CRAZY.  Passport only allows you to be in the target country and of course that makes things a bit easier because you can live there without additional paperwork. You could potentially live in the country and play locally for a while and transfer to a pro club but directly to a pro academy from the USA...difficult.  Getting your player card in Europe is governed by FIFA (not immigration) and you would be an international transfer (i.e. from US club to European club) and the transfer rules and exceptions would apply.  Which means that under the age of 18 you cannot transfer to Europe unless you fall under certain exceptions.  Those exceptions start becoming a bit easier at 16.  Under 16, harder (again not impossible because we have seen it work for others, but harder).  There needs to be an educational course on the FIFA international transfer rules for US football parents. BOTTOM LINE: if you don't know the rules and how they relate to you position and your playing situation (i.e. if you're coming from a pro academy vs. a local club there is a different factor which is training comp), you are already set up for failure if you're trying to play overseas under the age of 16.  [/quote]

What ages were your kids when they were in an academy in Europe?[/quote]

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