MIAH SCORES WITH HISTORIC LA LIGA DEAL
Zidan’s dream is to represent his native Bangladesh in a World Cup game
BRITISH ASIAN footballer Zidan Miah has created a buzz among football fans in the southeast Asian country by signing with top-flight Spanish side Rayo Vallecano (left).
The 20-year-old became the first-ever footballer of Bangladeshi descent to join a La Liga club.
After a two-month trial and impressing the Vallecas hierarchy, Miah last Saturday (28) confirmed his signing on social media, and thanked the Bangladesh fans for their support.
“I would also like to thank my family for all they have sacrificed over the years. Without them I wouldn’t be where or who I am today,” he said.
“Lastly I would like to thank those who have followed my journey through social media, especially those in my country of origin, Bangladesh.
“Your support doesn’t go unnoticed, thank you for all the love you have shown me. The hard work starts now! Big 2021/2022 season incoming...”
He will go into Rayo’s B team and will hope he can impress enough to get a call-up to the senior side.
Miah’s parents Sufian and Shipa moved to London in the 1970s from their ancestral home of Rajnagar in Moulvibazar district. Miah, who has two sisters, was born in Kent on March 7, 2001.
He said his dream was to one day represent Bangladesh in the World Cup.
“It would certainly be an honour and a dream come true to have the opportunity to play for Bangladesh,” he said.
“My dream is for Bangladesh to qualify for the FIFA World Cup and I think Jamie Day, Bangladesh’s head coach, and his backroom staff, are working hard to get the team in the best possible position.”
Miah was a skilled footballer from a young age and when he was seven, he trained at the David Beckham Academy alongside Beckham’s nephew Freddie and many other young footballers.
After spending two years at the academy, Miah travelled across the UK and Wales, playing for Dulwich Hamlet FC, Soccer Elite FA, Pro Touch Soccer Academy as well as the development academies of top-flight clubs such as Crystal Palace and Arsenal.
At the age of 11, Miah went to the US along with his family to pursue his dream of becoming a professional footballer. There he featured for Erie FC, Columbus Crew u-14 team and after earning a scholarship with the Michael Johnson Performance Center in Texas, went on to be part of FC Dallas youth team for six years.
When he returned to England, he played for Bromley’s u-23 team. His international exposure came after turning up for several youth teams in Denmark, Spain, Hong Kong and Thailand.