Glen Iris teenager Nicholas Kokolakis was put through his paces a fortnight ago before embarking on the most exciting journey of his short soccer career to date.
The 18-year-old is trying his luck in England, where he has been invited to try out for Ipswich Town Football Club. The famous club, which competes in the Football League championship (the second highest division in English soccer after the Premier League), is currently coached by soccer legend Roy Keane.
Kokolakis, who laughingly said he ‘‘can’t believe this is even happening,’’ will undergo strict training and dietary regimens in a bid to score a full-time contract with the club.
Peter Nikolakopoulos of Football Star Academy, who has been Kokolakis’ specialist coach for the past three years, has no doubt the teenager is will succeed.
‘‘He is passionate about his football and most importantly gives it everything he’s got, all of the time … he’ll go a long way,’’ he said.
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