DANISH TEEN HOPING TO MAKE THE GRADE WITH WEXFORD FC
16 YEAR-OLD KARL EMIL CALLESEN IS SET TO SWAP HIS NATIVE ODENSE FOR WEXFORD AND IS NOW LOOKING FOR A HOST FAMILY TO STAY WITH HERE
THERE can be no doubt that Denmark has produced some fine footballers over the years. From the Laudrup brothers to the towering presence of Peter Schmeichel and on to Christian Eriksen they’ve seen their share of top talent. Wexford FC are hoping that they’ve secured the next big name on that list with the signing of 16-year-old Karl Emil Callesen, who is set to leave his hometown of Odense to follow his dream in Wexford.
Coming from the same Odense Boldklub (OB) academy which spawned the aforementioned Christian Eriksen, young Karl Emil is not short of drive, determination or ambition and he’s hoping to break into the Wexford FC first team and impress at League of Ireland level before making the move across to the UK. Playing a variety of positions from right wing back to right and central midfield, Wexford FC U17 manager Mark Doran has been impressed by the Danish youngster and looks forward to integrating him into his team.
While the Wexford club typically don’t tend to sign players from abroad, Mark was struck with the ambition of young Callesen and his family.
‘I must admit, when I was sent on the email from Karl’s father first, I thought, “here we go again,”’ he said.
‘But I decided to get in touch and see if they were serious about signing. In fairness, the young lad had really put in a lot of work with YouTube clips and showing his training schedule and all that type of thing. At the time, I explained that the squad was 95 per cent full and we had had our trials already, but I told them we were playing in the Viking Cup in two weeks and if they wanted to come over, I’d take a look at him.’
Sure enough, Karl Emil arrived in Waterford and Wexford FC won the tournament, the young Dane impressing in all three games.
‘He really impressed me,’ Mark said.
‘He has a lot of grit and he’s feisty. He describes himself as being a very good technical player, and he really is. His touch and his turn of pace are brilliant. I was throwing him in with seasoned League of Ireland lads and he wasn’t off the pace.’
Following a conversation with Karl Emil’s father, Dr Michael Callesen, it was agreed that preparations would be made for him to make the move to Wexford. ‘It’s his dream to become a professional,’ said Dr Callesen said. ‘Even though he has a spot at the U17 team for next year in OB, his dream was to move to an English speaking country to play. His pick for Ireland was very much because of them having a U17 league similar to Denmark. Going from a setup with full time coaches from U12-u19 in OB, might seem as a setback, but being there for five years, he sees going to Wexford as a big step forward. Especially for him as a person, learning a new culture, adapting and still playing at the highest level.’
Arrangements were quickly put in place and with the help of teacher and football man Padraig Whitty, a place was secured for the youngster to study at Wexford CBS from September.
The final piece of the jigsaw is that a host family is being sought to take the 16 year-old in for the duration of his time in Wexford. While his family are willing to pay his way, things have been complicated somewhat by the onset of Covid-19. Anyone who may be in the position to help on this front is asked to contact Jorika Kohl on 087 9412243.
For Mark, he has high hopes for his new signing, who was due to move over and sign before the end of the summer.
‘I genuinely wouldn’t bring him all the way over here and take him away from his family if I thought he was mediocre or that there was similar quality already here. I like to think that one thing I do have is an eye for a player and Karl looks very, very good. What’s positive as well is that he’s only 16, so I’ll have him for two years. His idea is that he’ll put in two years at League of Ireland level and then look to make the jump across to England.’
While he’s not aware of players making similar moves to play for Wexford FC in the past, Mark says that this level of ambition is not uncommon among young players these days.
‘I have three players that already have agents,’ he said. ‘We have a goalkeeper who already has a glove deal. The ambition among these young lads is amazing. Karl already has very good English as well, which is a good thing. He’s seriously committed and I’ve every faith that he can be a great addition to Wexford FC.’