Tyler Garratt's football break came during a spell playing as a teenager at Spanish academy club Costa Unida and now he's aiming to make the most of another big opportunity at Wimbledon.
Coach Jamie Fullarton, who founded the football academy in Marbella, was also involved in the youth set-up at Bolton Wanderers back in 2013 and he recommended Tyler to the Championship club.
Speaking during an interview for iFollow, Tyler believes the experience of moving abroad will certainly stand him in good stead for switching club once again after spells with Bolton, Eastleigh (on loan) and Doncaster Rovers.
The 21-year-old said: "After I finished school my family moved to Spain and we decided that I would go too. I started playing for Costa Unida and the owner of the club Jamie was also a coach at Bolton. He brought me back for a trial and then it all progressed from there. It was right for me to come back as Costa Unida were not a professional club. I've not really had a home base since, but I've been made to feel welcome wherever I've been. After the trial here at Wimbledon this felt like the right place for me to come. It is brilliant, it's something new for me down south and a long way from where I was based."
Lincoln-born Tyler has already worked up a rapport with our goalkeeping coach Bayzo as the pair both attended the same school! The left-back said it has been easy to settle in here and he's confident of producing his best in a Wimbledon shirt.
Tyler added: "When I got here I found out that I attended the same high school as Bayzo! The lads in the squad have been great with me and I also know Liam Trotter from my time at Bolton. It has been really easy to settle in. The management team have got everything set out how they want to do things and I really appreciate that they've said what they want from me.
"I look to get forward, get loads of crosses into the box and help the team score goals, but of course I have to do my best at the back to put blocks in and stop crosses. I want to play as many games as I can, win as many games as I can, and finish as high up the league as possible."
The full interview with Tyler is available to watch on our iFollow channel by clicking on the link above.