Where Young Players Should Trial Overseas: A Clear Guide for Ages 12–16 and 16–18

Choosing the right overseas pathway is one of the most confusing and emotional decisions a parent or player can make.

Do you aim for the biggest club?
The most realistic club?
A club with the best facilities?
A club that gives actual opportunity?

The truth is simple:

The answer changes depending on your age.

Today, we’re breaking it into two stages so you understand exactly where your teenager should be trialling — and why.

Before we dive in, here’s why we get asked this question constantly.

My name is Alan Deriard, co-founder of Elite Football Agency and a full-time football agent.

Across Europe, South America and the UAE, we’ve helped hundreds of players find representation, opportunities and — in many cases — professional contracts or scholarships.

After working with more than 25 clubs globally, one thing has become crystal clear:

Where you trial matters — but it depends entirely on your stage of development.

Let’s break it down.

Stage 1: Ages 12–16 — Go As High As Possible

At this age, your focus shouldn’t be on getting a contract.
Your focus should be on getting the best development environment possible.

Why?

Because the chances of signing professionally at 12–16 are incredibly slim — for any player, anywhere in the world.
So if you are going overseas at this age, your priority is:

1. Development

Big clubs provide:

• Higher coaching standards

• Better training structures

• Better facilities

• Healthier environments

• Nutrition programs

• Strong youth identity

• Better care for young players

This matters more than anything else in these early years.

You’re not trying to break into the first team.
You’re trying to grow.

2. Experience Without Burnout

Young players are sensitive to environment.

At 12–16, one negative experience can break confidence — or passion.

Big clubs offer a level of structure that protects players from the chaos and instability that smaller clubs sometimes create.

3. Realistic Expectations

Even if you do get offered something, contracts at small clubs at this age often:

• Offer low support

• Provide poor living conditions

• Aren’t sustainable long-term

And here’s the part most families don’t expect:

Many Aussie, US and Canadian kids turn down offers at small clubs because the living standards are so different from home.

We’ve seen it first-hand.

That’s why aiming high early is not only safer — it’s smarter.

Stage 2: Ages 16–18 — Stop Chasing Big Club Names

Now everything changes.

This is the age where players (and parents) get caught up chasing big-name clubs:

• “We want La Liga.”

• “We want Bundesliga.”

• “We want the biggest badge.”

But here’s the truth most agents won’t tell you:

At 16–18, you will not make the senior team of a big club.

The percentage who do is microscopic.

So if you're not going to break into their first team, here’s what actually matters:

The team you’ll be competing in: the U19s.

And here’s where it gets interesting.

In Europe, youth leagues do NOT match senior leagues.

Unlike Australia (where senior and youth teams are linked), in Europe:

• A senior team may be 4th division

• Their U19 team may be 1st division

• They compete against Real Madrid, Atletico, Sevilla, etc.

This is the part 99% of people don’t know.

Meaning:

A small club could give your kid higher-level youth football than a giant club that never uses academy players.

Small clubs = accessible.
Their youth teams = elite level.
And scouts from big clubs constantly watch those youth matches.

So when you’re 16–18, the smartest pathway is:

Go to a club where you can actually play — at the highest youth level.

Not the biggest badge.

Not the richest team.

The team that gives you:

• Opportunity

• Minutes

• Exposure

• Real competition

• Weekly pressure

• A chance to be seen

This is how real pathways happen.

This is also why many of our players signed:

Not by joining a “big club,”
but by joining the right club.

The Bottom Line

**Ages 12–16 → Go as high as possible.

Ages 16–18 → Go where you can play and get seen.**

Your strategy must shift.

Not based on hype.
Not based on ego.
Not based on club name.

But based on development → opportunity → exposure.

This is exactly how we guide our players at EFA — and why so many have gone from amateurs in Australia to signing overseas.

If you’d like help navigating your teenager’s pathway, or you want personalised guidance based on age, position and ability, you can always reach out to our team.

Speak to an agent on my team here.

Your child’s next step is too important to guess.

Just ask, and we’ll help you map it out.