Post by medibot on Mar 29, 2007 23:47:01 GMT
Sutton United debutant Soloman Taiwo says choosing between living the high life in the USA and continuing his non-league footballing education was easy.
Taiwo put in a solid display on his first two appearances for Ian Hazel's men in Saturday's 0-0 draw with Braintree Town and Tuesday's goalless clash with Dorchester City.
But things could have worked out a lot differently for the 21-year-old.
The former Weymouth midfielder had to decide whether to stay in America, where he was on a football scholarship at Lindsey Wilson College in Kentucky, or continue his football journey on the other side of the Atlantic.
But, after just nine months in the States, Taiwo said choosing between the two was not a difficult decision.
He said: "The life over there is brilliant but football is very much a secondary sport, and I felt my game was suffering.
"So I had to make the decision whether to live the life in America or come back and try to get to where I want to be in terms of football. I am very much a football-orientated person and it will always come first.
"It would have been easy to stay there but I honestly felt my game was suffering every day, so I decided to come back and I am grateful to the boss for bringing me to the club."
Taiwo admitted Saturday's debut was a shock to the system.
"I didn't expect the midfield to be so congested and the game was a lot quicker than what I have been playing, so it was difficult to put my foot on the ball and play," he said.
"But I soon adapted to it and picked up the pace of the game.
"I have played a few games in the reserves and scored a couple of goals, but reserve team football is a lot different."
Now Taiwo is looking forward to becoming a regular part of Hazel's first team plans.
"I have until the end of the season to show what I can do and I am looking forward and am up to the challenge," he said.
Sutton are away to Havant & Waterlooville on Saturday.
Taiwo put in a solid display on his first two appearances for Ian Hazel's men in Saturday's 0-0 draw with Braintree Town and Tuesday's goalless clash with Dorchester City.
But things could have worked out a lot differently for the 21-year-old.
The former Weymouth midfielder had to decide whether to stay in America, where he was on a football scholarship at Lindsey Wilson College in Kentucky, or continue his football journey on the other side of the Atlantic.
But, after just nine months in the States, Taiwo said choosing between the two was not a difficult decision.
He said: "The life over there is brilliant but football is very much a secondary sport, and I felt my game was suffering.
"So I had to make the decision whether to live the life in America or come back and try to get to where I want to be in terms of football. I am very much a football-orientated person and it will always come first.
"It would have been easy to stay there but I honestly felt my game was suffering every day, so I decided to come back and I am grateful to the boss for bringing me to the club."
Taiwo admitted Saturday's debut was a shock to the system.
"I didn't expect the midfield to be so congested and the game was a lot quicker than what I have been playing, so it was difficult to put my foot on the ball and play," he said.
"But I soon adapted to it and picked up the pace of the game.
"I have played a few games in the reserves and scored a couple of goals, but reserve team football is a lot different."
Now Taiwo is looking forward to becoming a regular part of Hazel's first team plans.
"I have until the end of the season to show what I can do and I am looking forward and am up to the challenge," he said.
Sutton are away to Havant & Waterlooville on Saturday.
Nice to see that we have international pulling power
.