Former Leicester City, Aston Villa, Coventry City, Leeds United and Darlington player Julian Joachim has found a new club.
The 44 year old experienced English footballer, nicknamed ‘The Rock’, has come out of retirement and headed abroad to be with Gibraltar side Europa Point.
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He said, as mentioned on Europa Point’s social media pages about the app he developed called PlayerTrader which helps young players released by professional clubs in the UK and Europe get a second chance: “I have been helping young players get fixed up with new clubs for a few years now.
“At the beginning of last season, through PlayerTrader, we got into discussion with a few Gibraltar teams. We sent a delegation over to find out more information and they came back really excited by all of the development plans and how progressive football is on The Rock.
“I came over myself recently and trained with Europa Point FC and decided there and then that it was a good time for me to get involved over here.
“This is a great place for some of our young players to improve their skills at a high level and for me personally it is an exciting new experience because I have never played football abroad before.
“The League is going to offer many challenges and I hope that my experience can help my new team and football in general in Gibraltar continue to progress.
“There are a lot of really good things happening in sport in general in Gibraltar, the Gibraltar Football Association (GFA) have an agenda to help local talent develop their skills, this is an area I feel I can help. The development of the stadiums and sporting facilities is also great to see, whilst the new format of the League is exciting and I am just delighted to be part of it.
“If I can help in any way I will. I want to give something back to the younger generation by sharing my experience and knowledge with them and become a mentor to help them achieve their highest level possible.
“I can’t wait to get started with Europa Point. I still think my playing career has time for one or two more highs before I finally hang up my boots!
“I’ve been lucky to make so many memories over the past two decades or so as a player, playing the game I love. The project here at Europa Point has really captured my imagination. Having come through the Academy system myself at Leicester City, I understand the importance of developing and nurturing talent from a young age.
“The club want to get talented local players on board from ages four upwards and create a pathway that will lead to the national team and playing at the highest level possible.
“If I can assist in these and also score goals along the way for Europa Point, I will be happy, that will be the ultimate reward.”
Europa Point FC is working with local and global companies such as Isolas LLP, one of Gibraltar’s oldest firms and Geddit, an international software company, to help support this exciting project of developing young talent.
To explore the opportunities of working with Europa Point, email: andy@europapointfc.com
After finding out on Julian Joachim’s move to Europa Point, fans took to give their reaction, many wished him the best of luck – see those tweets on the next page.
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