23 year old midfielder Jacob Lensky is on trial with Vancouver Whitecaps.
It will be the second time that Lensky has tried out with his hometown club.
He was previously on trial with the Caps during their USL days in 2009 before deciding to ply his trade with Dutch side Utrecht later that year, having turned down a trial with MLS newcomers Seattle Sounders.
Lensky is a player that showed much promise at an early age, then his career seemed to have burned out and died before he resurrected it once again.
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His youth career saw him have stints in Belgium, the Czech Republic and England, before settling in Scotland and being part of the Celtic youth set up.
He tasted silverware as part of the Celtic side that won the SPL under-19 title in the 2005/2006 season, but soon left the Glasgow giants citing that he had no time for the <i>"old-school crap"</i> of the age-old tradition of apprentices cleaning the boots of first team players, whilst also taking a swipe at the dressing room mentality of the Celtic youth squad.
He left Celtic for Dutch side Feyenoord, but lasted only two years there, although he did briefly break into their first team and made one appearance.
It may have been a culture clash or just the difficulties of being away from his home for so long at such an early age, but something certainly took it's toll on Lensky and he ended up retiring from football at the age of 19 because he was suffering from <a href="http://www.heraldscotland.com/blogs/stramash/as-teenager-thomas-rogne-signs-for-celtic-it-s-worth-remembering-that-for-every-stilian-petrov-there-is-a-jacob-lensky-1.1000478" target="_blank">depression, fatigue, pressure and not being able to stand most of the players</a>.
Knowing first hand the difference between Scottish youths and Canadian youths, I can see how he felt that he didn't fit in and it's admirable in many ways that he walked away, got his head straight and has now bounced back.
Lensky joined Eredivisie side Utrecht in September 2009, initially signing a one year deal before being extended through to June this year. That contract was cancelled by the Club on January 1st 2012, after Lensky returned to Canada to rebuild his life following personal problems.
He made 70 appearances in all competitions, including the Europa League, for Utrecht, scoring four goals and being sent off twice. He only made four appearances for them this season after being given time off to seek help for alcohol abuse problems which were causing him migraines and eventually led to his return to Vancouver.
Vancouver born Lensky represented Canada at youth, under 20 and under 23 level before pledging his allegiance to the Czech Republic, where he has played three times at under 21 level.
This decision will no doubt anger some in the Whitecaps support. I personally don't know a lot about this part of his background and really don't care. My only concern right now is to see if he can add something to the Whitecaps midfield that is currently badly lacking.
I hope he can, as he was a talent in the past and it would be great to see such a player in MLS with the Whitecaps. Although primarily a midfielder (central or left mid), he can also play left back.
He wants a new beginning and to put his problems behind him. Martin Rennie doesn't suffer fools gladly, but he is a manager who genuinely cares about his players and would be an ideal figure to have around Lensky at this time of his career.
Lensky was at Caps training today and is expected to play in Sunday's MLS Reserve League game against Portland Timbers at Swangard Stadium.
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