NASL FC Edmonton

FC Edmonton Academy Graduate Amer Halilic Signs First Professional Contract

Published on August 17, 2016 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
FC Edmonton News Release


EDMONTON, AB - FC Edmonton's Academy has another success story to add to it's already impressive list of accomplishments, with recent program graduate Amer Halilic signing his first professional contract with Germany's FSV Wacker 90 Nordhausen.

Halilic departed Edmonton earlier this summer to trial in Germany. He arrived in Nordhausen and began training almost immediately. After impressing Sporting Director Maurizio Gaudino, Halilic signed his first professional contract. It has been a quick learning curve for the 18-year-old striker, who was born in Germany before relocating to Canada at the age of three.

"The initial few weeks in Germany I would say are very different because of what is expected of you and the different playing style in the country," Halilic explained. "You really need some time to adapt."

Halilic joined FC Edmonton Academy in 2014 and was a regular contributor on the scoresheet this season. He currently sits second in team scoring this season with six goals.

"FC Edmonton gave me a chance to step up my game and training when we didn't really have something like that before in Edmonton," Halilic added. "FC Edmonton helped me realize that it's more than just training and games, it's about mentality and preparing for those training sessions and games...Personally I would also like to thank [Academy Technical Director] Jeff Paulus, because the three years I've been at the Academy, Jeff has always pushed me to be better and has always had faith in me as a player."

Halilic reflects fondly of his time in the Academy, who have qualified for this year's provincials after missing out last season.

"One of the biggest things I took away from my time at the Academy has to be the memories of training everyday with your friends. Especially this last season, I feel like our team really came together. That's why we won a lot of games and made it into provincials."

With his career just beginning, Halilic provided some advice for other players who may want to follow a similar route.

"If you are really serious about a achieving a goal such as becoming a professional soccer player, then you can't do everything that your friends may be doing," Halilic explained. "You really have to focus on your goal and realize that this is the time to put your work in and step-up a level in order for your work [on the pitch] to be noticed. Once again, I would like to thank the FC Edmonton coaches and staff for everything they've done for me. it was a great time at FC Edmonton."

FC Edmonton Academy began in January 2012 and now in its fifth year, continues to be a fully funded program by FC Edmonton owners Tom and Dave Fath. One of the goals of the Academy is to provide an opportunity for the elite player to focus solely on their individual growth within the playing philosophy of FC Edmonton.

For more information on the Academy and FC Edmonton, please visit www.fcedmonton.com.

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North American Soccer League Stories from August 17, 2016


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