From “Average” to Signed Abroad: How One Player Proved Us Wrong
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From “Average” to Signed Abroad: How One Player Proved Us Wrong
I’m going to tell you a story about a player I didn’t think had what it took.
Hi, I’m Alan Deriard. I’m a full-time football agent and co-founder of Australia’s largest player agency. My team and I work with over 25 professional clubs across Europe, and we organise direct trials for hundreds of players every year.
So when I say I’ve seen a lot of footballers, I mean it. I’ve seen stars in the making, I’ve seen players rise through hard work, and I’ve seen others fade out. But this story really stuck with me because it changed the way I see the game.
I’ll be honest. I may have exaggerated the intro. I didn’t think this player was terrible. But I definitely didn’t think he’d make it.
And I’m glad I was wrong.
The Question I Always Get from Parents
One of the most common things I hear from parents is: “Do you think my son is good enough?” or “Does my daughter have what it takes?”
It’s a tough question. Because most people think my opinion matters. But the truth is, it doesn’t.
It doesn’t matter what I think. It doesn’t matter what a local coach thinks. It doesn’t even matter how well you play in Australia, the US, Canada, wherever.
What matters is what you do over there, on the ground, at the trial, in front of the club.
How It All Started
Back when we started this agency, we held one of our very first player events. Not many people showed up. It wasn’t like now where our events sell out.
At this early event, the level of players was all over the place. And this particular player — he was, honestly, just bang average. Not bad, not great. Just a standard state league player. League One in Sydney, I think. About 15 or 16 years old.
There was nothing special. No standout trait. But we’ve always had one rule at EFA — we give people a chance. We don’t believe you need to tick a certain number of boxes or have a stacked CV to trial overseas.
So we told the family honestly — we don’t think he’ll make it. But if you want to try, we’ll support it.
They agreed. So we organised a trial with a third division club in Spain.
What Happened Next Surprised All of Us
He went over. Did his trial. Stayed a couple of months. There were ups and downs, like most players experience. But then, out of nowhere, we got the call.
The club wanted to sign him for their under 19s team.
I couldn’t believe it.
This was one of the first amateur Aussie players we ever helped get signed abroad. He went from state league football in Sydney to competing in one of the top youth divisions in Spain.
No highlight reel. No glowing report. Just a kid who showed up and delivered when it counted.
It was a real moment for us. One that made me rethink everything.
Why My Mindset Shifted After This
This signing changed me.
I realised how little opinions matter in football.
You might think you know. I might think I know. But none of it matters until the player is standing in front of the club, ball at their feet.
From that day forward, I stopped trying to guess who was ready and who wasn’t. I’ve seen players with massive potential fold under pressure, and I’ve seen quiet achievers absolutely take their opportunity when it came.
This wasn’t just a fluke. It was a mindset shift for me, and a foundational moment for the agency.
The Truth About Football Opportunities
Now, I’d love to say it was a fairytale from there, but it wasn’t.
The player did well for a few months. Then the coach changed. A new coach came in who didn’t rate him. He got benched. His parents started pushing school more heavily, and he began missing training.
Things got messy. Eventually, the club and player parted ways.
But none of that takes away from what he achieved. He showed that average players, even those written off, can get signed.
That experience mattered.
What I Want Every Player to Know
This story taught me something important.
Your performance overseas is all that counts.
Not the scout’s opinion. Not your CV. Not your past season stats. Just that moment, in front of the club, when they’re watching you play.
And it’s arrogant for any coach or agent, including me, to assume we know how far a player can go before they’ve even had that chance.
That’s why I keep saying, don’t wait for exposure. Go out and find it.
Why Overseas Exposure Changes Lives
You’re not going to get scouted by a European agent sitting in Sydney. But when you’re over there, boots on the pitch, showing what you’ve got, anything can happen.
I’ve seen it too many times now to believe otherwise.
And I always say to my players, if another agent approaches you overseas and they’ve got a better offer, take it.
I don’t say that to lose players. I say it because I know what we offer, and I know most of the time they come back. Not because of loyalty — but because we actually deliver.
There’s a shortage of good agencies. Not a shortage of talent.
Final Thoughts
Opinions are everywhere. Everyone’s got one. But opinions don’t sign contracts — performances do.
If you’re thinking of trialling, do it.
Don’t sit on your potential. Don’t wait for someone to come knocking. Go knock yourself.
Because you might be the player that proves everyone else wrong. Like this one did with me.
And if you’re ready to take that next step, we’ll be honest with you. We’ll help you build a plan. And if we believe in you, we’ll back you all the way.