Left Midfield

Riky Hisamatsu

This is the story of Riky Hisamatsu, a young Japanese left-sided midfielder who impressed at a Premier Football UK 10-day event in England, earned a trial at Dundee United FC, and went on to sign a contract with Dutch professional club Almere City FC.

Riky came to us with a clear goal: to test himself against European standards and find a pathway into football abroad.

Impressing at a Premier Football UK 10-Day Event

Riky joined a Premier Football UK 10-day event, where players train and play matches in front of club staff. He performed well throughout, and his performances gave us the confidence to put him forward to professional clubs.

A Trial at Dundee United FC

Based on what he showed at the event, Premier Football UK arranged a trial for Riky at Dundee United FC in Scotland. Trials like this let a young player see the level that professional clubs expect, and they show clubs what the player can do.

Signing for Almere City FC in the Netherlands

Riky then signed a contract with Almere City FC, a professional club in the Netherlands. He played for the club’s youth sides, including matches for Almere City FC B1 against FC Groningen and appearances for the Almere City FC U19 team.

Continuing His Football in the Netherlands

After Almere City FC, Riky stayed in the Netherlands. He moved on to the FC Den Bosch U19 side and later played senior amateur football with OJC Rosmalen and HBS Craeyenhout.

You can watch some of Riky’s play in the Player Highlights video on this page.

What Young Players Can Learn from Riky

Perform when it counts. Riky’s displays at the 10-day event are what opened the door to a trial.

Look beyond one country. His route went from England to Scotland to the Netherlands.

Use every opportunity. A trial is a chance to show clubs your level and to learn what they expect.

Keep playing. Riky carried on playing in the Netherlands after his time at Almere City FC.

Could You Be Next?

Riky’s journey from Japan to a Premier Football UK event in England, a trial at Dundee United FC and a place at Almere City FC shows what a well-planned pathway can do. If you would like to test yourself in Europe, see our European football trials, or register now for a football trial.