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Issey with amateur team near Barcelona


Unnamed Trialist

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As I posted on the Canadians Abroad thread, and in case you did not see it, Issey Nakajima-Farran is playing with a low-level amateur team near Barcelona, in Sitges, called Suburense. They are 6th tier. I am going to see him play tomorrow. A friend of one of my students is on the same team, which is how I found out.

 

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Turns out he has been in and around Barcelona for the last couple of months. Perhaps he is here painting. His teammates, some of whom had played as high as 3rd div in Spain before being injured from what I understand, are apparently surprised to have him on their team, which is doing well in its division with a chance to promote; more info on them here:

 

http://www.fcf.cat/pnfg/NPcd/NFG_VisClasificacion?cod_primaria=1000120&codjornada=21&codcompeticion=19621623&codgrupo=19621688&codjornada=21

 

Issey scored last week in an away win.

 

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Issey has more interests, such as his art. Being cut late by Impact seems to have left him thinking about other things. Looking at his Twitter account it seems he was at Camp Nou in December, so maybe something else is going on.

 

IMO he would have no problem getting onto a 2nd div team near here, like relegation threatened Sabadell, though the problem is that rosters are full and unless there is a long-term injury or similar reason to drop a player, teams can't sign. Find out more tomorrow, as far as he's willing to tell and respecting his private life.

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Went today, no pics as I can't find the cable for my camera, did not take them with mobile.

 

He seemed to enjoy himself, and had good rapport with his teammates. He started attacking left, moved around, was good and fast, tricky, but his team happens to be quite good too. First goal a teammate rounded the keeper, put in a pass Issey tried to backheel in but a defender cleared off the line only to have the first player put it in. End 1st half he fell badly and hurt his hip or lower back and was subbed out at half. They won 4-0, a really well coached team with some players who had been in Espanyol youth or in teams in 3rd tier. They promoted last year and are leading their division this, but even then going up from 2nd Catalan to 1st Catalan is still amateur with the odd team paying semi-pro. Met the coach after and congratulated him as he is pretty sharp. Good crowd, maybe 250 people.

 

His connection is that his partner is from here and his folks have connections in and around Barcelona as well, live here too. Met them, really pleasant. His father told me that a few years back when Paris, his younger bro, was without a team, he played for a few months for Europa, a 4th tier club I follow in Barcelona and one of the ten founding clubs of the Spanish 1st division. I was quite surprised. He said he may have recognized me from the Mauritania friendlies down in Valencia.

 

Issey was cut very late from Impact, and that after having been protected in the entry draft, totally contradictory. What is more problematic is that there is some MLS rule whereby anyone wishing to sign him has to pay either MLS or Impact, and quite a bit, even thought they broke the contract. Until the June window opens up. Can someone explain that, it is obviously discriminatory, as with many MLS contract rules.

 

Definitely looking for a club though, the idea is not to play out the season with Suburense, which are near where he is and allow him to train a few times a week. They said that the Catalan football federation, which regulates non-pro, gave him the permission to train and play at this level being amateur.

 

BTW you are right he has a British passport.

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Went today, no pics as I can't find the cable for my camera, did not take them with mobile.

 

He seemed to enjoy himself, and had good rapport with his teammates. He started attacking left, moved around, was good and fast, tricky, but his team happens to be quite good too. First goal a teammate rounded the keeper, put in a pass Issey tried to backheel in but a defender cleared off the line only to have the first player put it in. End 1st half he fell badly and hurt his hip or lower back and was subbed out at half. They won 4-0, a really well coached team with some players who had been in Espanyol youth or in teams in 3rd tier. They promoted last year and are leading their division this, but even then going up from 2nd Catalan to 1st Catalan is still amateur with the odd team paying semi-pro. Met the coach after and congratulated him as he is pretty sharp. Good crowd, maybe 250 people.

 

His connection is that his partner is from here and his folks have connections in and around Barcelona as well, live here too. Met them, really pleasant. His father told me that a few years back when Paris, his younger bro, was without a team, he played for a few months for Europa, a 4th tier club I follow in Barcelona and one of the ten founding clubs of the Spanish 1st division. I was quite surprised. He said he may have recognized me from the Mauritania friendlies down in Valencia.

 

Issey was cut very late from Impact, and that after having been protected in the entry draft, totally contradictory. What is more problematic is that there is some MLS rule whereby anyone wishing to sign him has to pay either MLS or Impact, and quite a bit, even thought they broke the contract. Until the June window opens up. Can someone explain that, it is obviously discriminatory, as with many MLS contract rules.

 

Definitely looking for a club though, the idea is not to play out the season with Suburense, which are near where he is and allow him to train a few times a week. They said that the Catalan football federation, which regulates non-pro, gave him the permission to train and play at this level being amateur.

 

BTW you are right he has a British passport.

On a related note, I think if the Red Bulls want Ouimette they'll have to pay the Impact some sort of compensation. It is ridiculous.

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Went today, no pics as I can't find the cable for my camera, did not take them with mobile.

 

He seemed to enjoy himself, and had good rapport with his teammates. He started attacking left, moved around, was good and fast, tricky, but his team happens to be quite good too. First goal a teammate rounded the keeper, put in a pass Issey tried to backheel in but a defender cleared off the line only to have the first player put it in. End 1st half he fell badly and hurt his hip or lower back and was subbed out at half. They won 4-0, a really well coached team with some players who had been in Espanyol youth or in teams in 3rd tier. They promoted last year and are leading their division this, but even then going up from 2nd Catalan to 1st Catalan is still amateur with the odd team paying semi-pro. Met the coach after and congratulated him as he is pretty sharp. Good crowd, maybe 250 people.

 

His connection is that his partner is from here and his folks have connections in and around Barcelona as well, live here too. Met them, really pleasant. His father told me that a few years back when Paris, his younger bro, was without a team, he played for a few months for Europa, a 4th tier club I follow in Barcelona and one of the ten founding clubs of the Spanish 1st division. I was quite surprised. He said he may have recognized me from the Mauritania friendlies down in Valencia.

 

Issey was cut very late from Impact, and that after having been protected in the entry draft, totally contradictory. What is more problematic is that there is some MLS rule whereby anyone wishing to sign him has to pay either MLS or Impact, and quite a bit, even thought they broke the contract. Until the June window opens up. Can someone explain that, it is obviously discriminatory, as with many MLS contract rules.

 

Definitely looking for a club though, the idea is not to play out the season with Suburense, which are near where he is and allow him to train a few times a week. They said that the Catalan football federation, which regulates non-pro, gave him the permission to train and play at this level being amateur.

 

BTW you are right he has a British passport.

Thanks! Very interesting!

Quite the globe trotter career for Issey! Played in Asia, Europe, Oceania and North America. He should look for a team in Africa or South America ;)

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Another little tidbit of interest. Asked about Floro and Issey is not called to the March camp, not having team. Floro spoke with him directly to tell him, so sounds like things are being done right. Also heard good things about Floro himself as a coach, seems like players are pleased with him.

I hope this means de Guzman won't be in camp.

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Another little tidbit of interest. Asked about Floro and Issey is not called to the March camp, not having team. Floro spoke with him directly to tell him, so sounds like things are being done right. Also heard good things about Floro himself as a coach, seems like players are pleased with him.

 

Refreshing to hear that Floro tells players directly why they aren't being called into camp. 

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I hope this means de Guzman won't be in camp.

We'll see. I wouldn't be surprised if he's still included. He is seen as one of the veteran leaders and being fluent in Spanish, Floro might use him to better communicate with the rest of the team. That is pure speculation and I am aware Floro is conversational in English, but I am just throwing out possibilities.

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I actually asked if Floro was communicating by phone in Engish, and it seems he is. Some think that after 18 months it is expected, but for a guy his age I don't think so. So good for Floro, I like those kinds of details.

 

IMO Issey could play for and help some 2nd div teams here, like Sabadell or Llagostera, by far the most modest (a town of 6000!!) but I think the key impediment is the buyout rule even for cut players. Again, have to ask: what is the rule and how does it work, can anyone explain it? They could not pay him much but the exposure in 2nd div here is amazing, as huge clubs are in 2nd. I don't think that he is particularly looking at Spain clubs though, I got the idea that he would go to the best contract, within reason.

 

I can't see him this weekend, will go in a few weeks if he is still around and I am too.

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Edit: My source in Sitges says it's a team from Copenhagen, in 1st tier coud be FC Copenhagen, Brondby or Nordsjaelland, in 2nd Lyngby, Koge, Bronshoj, Roskilde. My bet would be Nordsjaelland as he was there before. Found a recent article in Danish press on him, like this: http://www.bold.dk/nyt/nakajima-farran-klar-til-dansk-comeback

 

Hast to be a club strong enough to pay off Impact/MLS, I would imagine he'd accept a salary cut for these 3 months if they did that and gave him another year at least.

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Edit: My source in Sitges says it's a team from Copenhagen, in 1st tier coud be FC Copenhagen, Brondby or Nordsjaelland, in 2nd Lyngby, Koge, Bronshoj, Roskilde. My bet would be Nordsjaelland as he was there before. Found a recent article in Danish press on him, like this: http://www.bold.dk/nyt/nakajima-farran-klar-til-dansk-comeback

 

Hast to be a club strong enough to pay off Impact/MLS, I would imagine he'd accept a salary cut for these 3 months if they did that and gave him another year at least.

Awesome updates - much appreciated. I ran the article you linked through an online translator. One sentence translated as follows:  "Nakajima-Farran com on Sunday evening to Denmark, and on Monday he was in Hobro town reserveholdskamp against Vejle."  Does that suggest that he played in a reserve game on Monday (for either Hobro or Vejle)? Or is the online translator messing with me?

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He played for Hobro Reserves, it is mentioned on the Velje site, first line

 

Hobro is not near Copenhagen but they are in top flight midtable so a good pick. He first played for Vejle in Denmark, which is why them mention him. Looking at their current squad list they only have 21 outfield players, and numbers 8 and 9 are not taken, those are attacking numbers.

 

There's a video of the match on youtube, Hobro are in yellow and black. On their first goal, to tie 1-1, I think it's Issey on the left side of attack applauding after they score, dark hair and that beard, wearing no. 3. He is also seen congratulating the scorer on the third goal.

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