Degraff considers return to Brazil to pursue pro dream
Sammy DeGraff could have made his final appearance for the Bermuda Hogges with the elegant midfielder contemplating a return to Brazil to try and carve out a career as a professional footballer.
The 26-year-old spent last month on trial at FIFA Club World Cup Champions Sport Club Internacional, and despite not winning a contract he has been offered an opportunity to spend a year in Brazil as a trialist pursuing his dream.
Many sacrifices will have to be made while he attempts to attract potential suitors and DeGraff admits he has some "tough decisions" to make before he commits to moving to the land of samba football.
But he has pencilled in February 2008 as a possible departing date with an agent who he lived with during his recent trial promising to fix up trials.
"It was an incredible experience for me — one of the best of my life — and I felt I really adapted to the Brazilian style of play," said DeGraff who previously attended camps and a summer trial at Sao Paula side FC Paulista two years ago.
"I spent everyday training at Internacional's training complex, mainly with the Under-20s and reserves, although I did take part in one first team session. It gave me a lot of confidence and belief I can make it with at least a second division club if I'm prepared to make the sacrifices required — to be honest I was disappointed to return. I spent the month living with an agent — a friend of my Brazilian footballing mentor — and after watching me play, he believes I have a chance, but reckons I need to spend more time in the country. He has a lot of contacts with other clubs but I need to make sure financially it would be possible for me to leave Bermuda and pursue this properly."
DeGraff, a mainstay of the Hogges team this season, has received blessing from the franchise to take on another footballing challenge with their coaches mentioning the possibility of a trial at a UK club. And while the Whitney Institute music teacher concedes his age may be a stumbling block he believes he owes it to himself to give it a go.
"I have a commitment to my job and it would be a huge sacrifice for me to leave my post for something that isn't concrete," he said.
"But as a small boy I always wanted to play football at the highest possible level and I'm at a stage of my life where I have no real commitments that stand in my way.
"I've a lot of difficult decisions to make and sometimes it's hard to know what the right decision is. I'm trying to get as much advice as possible and hope to talk to Shaun (Goater), Kyle (Lightbourne) and Paul (Scope).
"I could have played my last game for the Hogges but I've been presented with some opportunities and I must make a decision. However, the best decision could prove to be staying with the Hogges."
The North Village man will be flying out to Brazil in December to hold talks with Internacional officials about the possibility of organising trials for young Bermudians. DeGraff believes Bermuda's players are well suited to Brazilian football and reckons they will have a better chance of attracting interest while they're still in their teens.
"I'm trying to open a few doors for young Bermudians to maybe have trials and train with their youth teams," he added.
"One problem I faced while I was there was my age — it's better to get out there while your in your teens or early 20s as clubs are more willing to take you on. Internacional gave me some good feedback and thought I was a good player but my age probably put them off giving me contract.
"There's a natural connection, as Bermudians love Brazilian football. I spoke to the club owner and coaches and to be honest they didn't know much about Bermuda and were interested in looking at some of our young talent."