GEORGE NEWS - Two players of the George Soccer Academy (GSA) are very excited about their upcoming trip to Italy, where they will spend two weeks training with a professional club. 

Liam le Roux (17) and Jiane Fede (16) were invited to take part in the life, training and matches of a club, which is yet to be identified, to have their soccer skills assessed.

The two were scouted and invited to Italy following a tour in Manchester, England as part of a team from the Gqeberha-based Pro Skills Academy.

Le Roux is a right winger and striker and his favourite player is Manchester United's winger Alejandro Garnacho. He grew up in Johannesburg where he trained with Supersport United from the age of two. 

In 2020 he moved to Croatia where he played for the club NK Halubjan Viškovo's u. 15 team and he returned to South Africa in 2022 to live in George. 

"It was a battle to find a club in George, but luckily I discovered GSA. There are players here that are on the same level of those in Johannesburg and Croatia," says Le Roux.

"Soccer is very important to me; it's my main sport. I want to make it a lifestyle and turn professional or start playing in the lower European leagues or possibly in America."

Fede is a central midfielder and his favourite player is winger Paulo Dybala, who plays for Roma.

He grew up in Johannesburg and started playing soccer informally in Grade 1. Before moving to George, he trained with Supersport United since he was in Grade 4.

"Football is like therapy for me. It keeps me dedicated and teaches me to work hard. I play and train football as much as I can," says Fede.

His dream is to play for his favourite club, Juventus, and his goal is to play in the European second and first divisions or any pro club in South Africa or even South America. 

In addition to training with GSA, he also practises with local soccer giants Black Cats FC.

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