Adamant Adam
Malaysian teenager bent on making it big in Serbia
Teen footballer Adam Hamid has big dreams and that is to be a star in faraway Belgrade.
Earlier this year, the 18-year-old leftback agreed to a six-month trial with top Serbian club FK Crvena Zvezda, formerly known as Red Star Belgrade.
He trained with the Under-19 squad and was beginning to make an impression before the Covid-19 pandemic struck.
He had to make the trip back home but vowed he would make the grade on his return to Belgrade.
“The goal is to secure a spot with the Under19 this season and then hopefully catch the eyes of the other big clubs,” said Adam, who is currently a student at Hartpury College in England.
“I’m keen to sign a professional contract with a Serbian team upon completing my training stint.”
With Hartpury College, Adam won the district title in the 2017-2018 season.
Crvena Zvezda is the most successful club in Serbia, they have won the league title 31 times since they were founded 75 years ago.
They are also the only Serbian club to have won the European Cup when they beat Marseille in 1991.
The club have produce top players in Dragan Stojkovic, Sinisa Mihajlovic, Dejan Savicevic, Dragan Dzajic and former Croatian maestro Robert Prosinecki.
The former Asia Pacific Smart School student said football in Serbia emphasise more on the intricate details of the game and the player’s individual skill.
“Compared to Malaysia, the environment there is much more competitive.
“One either adapts and do well or fall short.” Adam also hopes to land a spot in the national team for next year’s SEA Games in Hanoi.
“I very much like to contribute to the local football scene and leave an impression not only as a footballer but as an individual.”