An Irish League footballer has landed an "opportunity of a lifetime" after securing a scholarship in the United States. Thomas Maguire will travel to Florida next month to link up with Nova Southeastern University.
The former Cliftonville and Warrenpoint Town winger will spend one year in Fort Lauderdale. He will combine his football with studying for a Masters in business administration.
The 22-year-old hopes his experience in the Irish Premiership stands him in good stead when he plays in the Sunshine State Conference.
Read more: Cliftonville boss Paddy McLaughlin hails players for teeing up a "big night at Solitude"
"The standard is pretty high. NSU won their conference last year and also placed fourth in an international tournament," Maguire said.
"I am only going for a year because it is a Masters I am studying for. I did my Under Graduate at Jordanstown. I am studying business administration.
"I have received my class schedule and it is exciting. You train every day, either in the morning or afternoon. And then you have class a couple of nights a week, from 6-10pm.
"It is basically a scholarship for the year. And I can't wait."
Maguire secured his ticket to Florida through a former coach he worked with at Rotherham. The 22-year-old spent two years at Rotherham's academy where he played for the Under 18s.
"It was Ciaran Toner, who is from Lurgan. He ended up leaving Rotherham and sort of stepped away from coaching to go down the route of getting players across to America," Maguire explained.
"That's one of his businesses. Ever since I left Rotherham he has been trying to get me across to the States but I have turned it down previously.
"He reached out last summer again and asked if I would be interested. And I went for it."
And Maguire hopes his performances on the pitch can lead to further opportunities in the States.
He said: "It is a massive opportunity for me. And it is something different.
"And if I do well then you never know what could happen. I could get a couple of trials with professional clubs.
"If something comes out of it, great. If nothing happens then I will still have a degree at the end of it.
"It is important to look to the future and that's what I am doing with my studies. But I also view this as a shop window for my football career.
"When I came back from Rotherham when I was 18, I tried a couple of different things. This is like a second chance for me, but without the pressure.
"If it doesn't happen then that's fine. I can only apply myself as best I can and see where it takes me."
Maguire returned home for Rotherham in 2018 before signing for Cliftonville. He also had three different spells at Warrenpoint Town.
"I have that Irish League experience behind me, and that was a brilliant learning base for me. That's proper men's football and it will definitely stand me in good stead when I travel over there," he said.
"Most of the players I will be playing with and against in America will be a similar age to me. I dare say the conditions will be tough in terms of the weather and climate.
"But I can't wait. It is a huge opportunity and I am ready to take it with both hands."
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