TWO young local North East footballers will be heading to the USA this summer to take up prestigious football scholarships. Both are delighted to have secured a soccer scholarship through the PASS4Soccer Scholarship Network. Their achievements in gaining such a quality opportunity are in recognition of both their academic achievements to date and athletic ability.

North Yorkshire based Louis Goldsack of Middlesbrough College and Guisborough Town FC, will be joining Queens University of Charlotte located in Charlotte, North Carolina. He will arrive in August 2018 to study and play for the “Royals” soccer team. Louis will have the opportunity to combine his University studies alongside playing high level football and training full time for the next four years. Louis took part in a USA Coach Showcase hosted by PASS4Soccer and a US Tour to Charlotte, North Carolina in March 2016 to help further exposure to universities in the USA and those reviewing additional footage from Guisborough Town FC highlights. Louis said, "I chose to study in the US because it’s an opportunity of a life time to play football full time at a high standard while studying at university. I am looking forward to experiencing a different lifestyle and living in another country and playing football every day. I chose Queens because everything about it looked perfect for me, I’d also be living in a city which is something I’ve always wanted to do.”

PASS4Soccer Director Daniel Gray added, “We are excited to continue seeing Louis scoring goals in the USA. Having worked with Louis for almost 4 years, we have seen him develop into a top striker who is a major threat anywhere near the goal. In addition to his exploits on the pitch, Louis will be an asset in the changing room and on the university campus. I have personally visited Queens University of Charlotte and know Louis is in for a great experience under great coaches.”

Darlington based Jamie O’Brien, of Queen Elizabeth 6th Form College Darlington and Darlington FC, will be joining Drury University located in Springfield, Missouri. He will arrive in August 2018 to study and play for the “Panthers” soccer team and have the opportunity to combine his University studies alongside playing high level football and training full time for the next four years. Jamie also took part in the USA Coach Showcase held at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre in December 2017. Jamie said, “The main reason I wanted to study in the US is because it means I can still train and play football full time whilst obtaining a degree. I’m most looking forward to starting my first season with Drury and hoping to do well and meeting my new teammates. I chose to join Drury University because of the sporting facilities it provides, the ambition of the coaching staff to do well and size of the town.”

Director Daniel Gray added, “Jamie will bring goals to Drury University and we look forward to tracking his progress. He has shown great desire and dedication throughout the process to not only communicate with the university coaches but to make sure all of the paperwork side was completed in a timely manner. Jamie performed well in our events and attracted coached with his goal scoring and physical forward play. Academically he will be well prepared heading to the USA after two years at Queen Elizabeth in Darlington and follows in the footsteps of previous students we have sent to the USA from the college.”

Both scholarships have been gained through the assistance of PASS4Soccer Scholarships. Places in the PASS4Soccer Network Program are now available for students seeking to enter a US university soccer programme in August 2019 and 2020. PASS4Soccer will be holding Information and Assessment Days in London and Cheshire in August, London again in September, and in Durham, Bath/Bridgewater, Nottingham and London in October.

With students in the UK looking at £43,000+ debt after graduation, talented footballers can vastly reduce their university debt by accessing the soccer and academic scholarships available at universities all over the USA. PASS4Soccer every year assist numerous students find soccer scholarships in the USA. Similar level scholarships are not available in the UK. Students placed in American universities and colleges by PASS4Soccer have earned well over $40,000,000 worth of education through introductions to scholarship programmes. The scholarships can cover up to 100% of the cost for tuition fees, accommodation and food.

PASS4Soccer are the recommended soccer scholarship organisation for several top football organisations in England and are officially recommended by the English Schools’ FA and League Football Education. PASS4Soccer have had numerous successes with students going on to gain a professional contract following 4 years at university. Five players have also gone on to be signed by MLS clubs after graduation as well as players returning to the UK and playing in the EFL. Interested players should register at pass4soccer.com or call 01912295236.