Wanderer Alessandro Lopane on his promotion from the Wanderers Academy and his dreams coming true.
Wanderer Alessandro Lopane on his promotion from the Academy and his dreams coming true.
The 16-year-old central midfielder was promoted on Friday afternoon to a scholarship contract after spending the last four seasons working his way up through the grades of the Wanderers Academy.
For Lopane, the promotion was a proud moment for him and his family who have been supporting his football journey from day one.
“I come from an Italian background so obviously football is the main thing growing up,” explained Lopane.
“I grew up with two brothers and they have a lot of financial things to worry about and my parents were extremely happy to see that the Wanderers are providing financial (support) and I’m extremely grateful for that.
“Getting this scholarship is such an achievement for me and family. I’m so thankful to be in this position at a young age.”
Over the last four years, Lopane has seen the transformation of the Wanderers Centre of Football first-hand and has credited the growth of the facility to the development of his own game.
“It inspires me seeing so many of young kids growing up at the Wanderers to become young men,” said Lopane.
“We have great facilities here to help us be professional footballers.
“Like the new fields now and the gym, it just changes the way I think about the game.”
For Lopane, signing a scholarship contract with the Wanderers is a dream come true and he can’t wait to get started.
“Waking up every day and just knowing that I could be training everyday now with the first team is such a dream come true,” said Lopane.
“I’m looking forward to starting training and being aside players like Keanu Baccus and Nicolai Muller, it’s such an achievement for me at such a young age. I just can’t wait to get started.”
