Sejean follows football fortunes in Paraguay
FORMER Geelong soccer player Lelo Sejean has signed for Paraguayan outfit Sol del Este.
The 26-year-old winger, who has played with North Geelong, Surf Coast and Rangers, joined the Primera Division B Nacional club this week and will split his time between Sol de Este and the local state league, the Liga Paranaense.
Sejean, who first moved to Argentina as an 18-year-old, said he had to work hard to get a foothold in South American football.
“South America is generally a very competitive environment. From first to fourth division, there are all of these transfers happening, player movements, and it’s great,” Sejean said.
“But being Australian, I’ve always had to think of ways to stand out and convince clubs and agents I’m worth the risk.
“Sometimes I’ve had to go to extreme measures like sending in videos of me doing hundreds of accurate corners, juggling, free kicks into crates and things, just to get their attention.”
Sejean has also spent time at Sportivo Ameliano in the Paraguayan city of Asuncion.
The talented attacking outlet has split his time between Australia and South America recently, spending time training and trialling in hope of getting a contract.
“The game is such a huge part of the culture here. It comes first for them, before food,” he said.
Sejean said he would work closely with Sol de Este’s coach Victor Pinto.
“I spend a lot of time with my coach. I am also his assistant for the youth teams at Sol Del Este,” he said.
“He has a little soccer pitch in his back yard, so sometimes we’ll have small early morning training sessions at his house.”