It is not very often that a young player from Northern Ireland gets a chance of a trial at a top division club outside the United Kingdom. That is exactly what has happened to 17 year old, Adam Salley, twice.

  • By Mark Thomson
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salley iriThe young striker has been given a second trial opportunity at Eredivisie side FC Groningen following a similar trial during last season. Currently on the books of top Northern Ireland Premiership side, Linfield, Salley is also a star for the Northern Ireland national side at under age level and starred in Northern Ireland’s recent success at the famous youth tournament, the Milk Cup.

Salley, hoping to follow in the footsteps of Arjen Robben, of whom Groningen helped launch his career, is also hoping to be the only the second player from Northern Ireland to play a competitive game in the Eredivisie. James Quinn, also a striker, had a successful spell with Willem II between 2002-2005 as he scored 15 goals in 62 apperances for the side from Tilburg.

It has been argued that the standard of youth level football in the Netherlands is of a higher level of what can be found at most English League sides and this can only be beneficial to the player himself and the future prospects of the Northern Ireland national team. Clearly FC Groningen like what they see from the young starlet.




Mark Thompson (4 Posts)