Werribee City rising star Yasin Nur has continued to make waves in his soccer journey, signing with Melbourne City for the 2017 National Premier League Victoria season.
Nur, 16, has been a part of the Werribee City junior program for the past six years, making his senior debut in 2016 after some impressive performances in the under-20 side during the winter.
He was invited to be in the Victorian junior development squad in 2015 and, after trialling with both Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory this year, he received an offer from both clubs, eventually settling on City.
It is a move that has the creative left-sided midfielder excited about his future.
“It’s been pretty good so far, very exciting to start training with the squad,” Nur said.
“It was a pretty good feeling when I got the email saying I was in the side. There were lots of trials and games with City and Victory, so it was good to get a spot.
“City is a bit closer to home, and they were the first to offer me a place, so that’s why I went with them,” he said.
Nur has stood out as a player of great potential since his early days at Werribee City, with Werribee City president Giovanni Inserra delighted with his progression.
“It became pretty apparent early on that he was one of the top-three boys in his group,” Inserra said. “He’s a very unpredictable player, which clubs really like – extremely skilful and very smart as a footballer.
“Even as a young player, he knew how to get under the skin of the opposition and create opportunities.
“He’s got a big future ahead of him, and while a lot of things need to go right, he’s got the right attitude and works very hard.
“Something like this is great for Yasin, but also for the club, to show that kids can come through our program and aspire to these higher levels.
“There would be nothing better than watching him run around for an A-League club in coming years … who knows where he could end up.” For his part, Nur said he had a lot to be thankful for since starting at the Bees as a 10 year old.
“The club has been really great for me and my family,” he said. “The boys there and all the coaches have been really helpful and welcoming ever since I started – and not just on the pitch, they’ve always been there to help with anything.”
Nur said his family, who settled in Wyndham from Somalia, had also played a huge part in his soccer journey so far, especially his mother, Deqa, who took him to the many games and training sessions on his way through.
While nothing is guaranteed, Nur is hopeful of breaking into the senior NPL side next year. Beyond that, he hopes to make a career as a professional player.
“If I put my head down at training, work hard and do all the right things, hopefully I can slide in and do a job,” Nur said. “I’d love to make a living out of football, maybe head overseas, but to play … for the rest of my life would be great.”
