Twelve-year-old Burnaby soccer phenom Damiano Pecile will be living out of a suitcase for the next few years in order to pursue his dream on the pitch.
He will be training with AC Milan, one of the most successful soccer (or football as they call it in Europe) clubs in Italy.
While many kids were hitting the beach this past summer, Pecile spent August in Italy at pre-season tryouts for AC Milan.
“To be invited to a tryout for AC Milan is a dream come true for Damiano and is a reality that not many boys his age will ever get to experience,” said his parents in an email to NOW.
Pecile was vying for a spot on the Youth Sector Academy for the under-13s.
According to Pecile’s parents, after the first day, the manager of the youth sector, Mauro Bianchessi, said the team would welcome Pecile back as a player.
“He’s got his foot in the door at one of the most prestigious clubs in European soccer,” read the email.
Pecile will head back to Italy to train with the youth sector several times a year, and try out for the AC Milan Youth Squad when he is 14 or 15 years old.
His parents said they aren’t ready to make the permanent move abroad just yet.
“It is too much of a gamble financially at this young age,” read the email. The family has committed to take Pecile over to train in Italy as often as they can.
In addition to his overseas travel, Pecile will also be heading to São Paulo, Brazil from Nov. 11 to 17 to represent Canada in the 2014 Danone Nations Cup World Final – an international competition for soccer players from 10 to 12 years old from 32 countries.
But first, the Canadian contingent will train closer to home at Burnaby’s own Fortis Sport and Health facility from Nov. 8 to 10.
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