The Honest Europe Checklist: Are you actually ready for an academy move?
If you’re reading this, you’re probably somewhere between excited and terrified.
Excited because Europe feels like the real thing. The football culture. The standards. The environment that can accelerate a young player’s growth.
Terrified because… it’s your kid. Or it’s you. And moving across the world for football is not like changing clubs in your city. It affects your schooling, family routines, friendships, finances, mental health, and identity.
We’ve lived this. And here’s the truth:
The families who do best aren’t the ones who find the “best academy.”
They’re the ones who show up ready for what Europe demands.
So here it is. No hype. No selling dreams.
Just the Honest Europe Checklist we wish every family used before booking flights, paying deposits, or telling everyone “we’re going pro.”
The Honest Europe Checklist (Parents + Players)
1) Your “Why” is clear and realistic
Ask yourselves:
Why Europe, specifically?
What does “success” look like in 6 months, 12 months, 24 months?
Are you chasing development… or chasing validation?
Green flag: You have a development-first plan.
Red flag: You’re relying on Europe to “fix” a lack of minutes, confidence, or discipline.
2) The player can handle discomfort without quitting
Europe will test a player fast. New coaching style. New expectations. Hard feedback. Less hand-holding.
Ask:
How do you respond when you’re not starting?
When a coach is blunt?
When the level is higher and you feel behind?
Green flag: The player adjusts, listens, and responds with action.
Red flag: The player spirals, blames, or shuts down.
3) Independence is already proven at home
Football is only part of the move. The rest is life.
Can the player:
Wake up without being chased
Manage their kit, laundry, hydration, nutrition
Communicate needs without attitude
Problem-solve small issues without panic
Green flag: They already live like a young pro.
Red flag: They still need daily reminders for basics.
4) You’ve planned the schooling piece like it actually matters
This one is non-negotiable. If football goes sideways, school becomes the safety net.
Ask:
What happens if the player gets injured?
What if the academy doesn’t work out?
Are you keeping options open for university or college pathways?
Green flag: Clear academic plan (local school, online program, international curriculum).
Red flag: “We’ll figure it out later.”
5) You understand the difference between training and a pathway
A lot of programs can sell a “European experience.”
Very few provide a legitimate pathway.
Ask:
Are they connected to a real club structure?
Do players actually play in official competitions?
What leagues do they compete in?
What happens after the first 3 months?
Green flag: Competitive matches and clear progression steps.
Red flag: Endless training with vague promises.
6) You’re prepared for the admin reality (visas, registration, transfers)
This is where families get caught off guard. Europe has rules. Football has rules. And for minors, it gets even more complicated.
Ask:
Do we understand visa requirements?
Are we clear on registration eligibility?
Do we understand FIFA implications for youth players?
Green flag: You’ve mapped the legal/regulatory steps.
Red flag: You think a trial = you can play official matches immediately.
7) Your budget is honest, and your timeline is realistic
Europe can be expensive — not always in obvious ways.
Budget for:
Program fees and accommodation
Travel (multiple trips)
Food and daily living
Insurance, physio, recovery
Unexpected changes (club shift, housing shift, extra months)
Green flag: You can fund the plan without constant stress.
Red flag: You’re going “all in” with no buffer.
8) You have a support structure (and you’re not pretending you don’t need one)
Players need someone to talk to. Parents do too.
Ask:
Who supports the player emotionally?
Who helps the family make decisions when it gets hard?
Who’s local and trusted?
Green flag: Mentors, trusted adults, a plan for tough weeks.
Red flag: “We’re tough, we’ll be fine.”
9) The player is ready to earn respect, not expect it
Europe doesn’t care where you came from. It cares what you do today.
Ask:
Are you ready to be the unknown kid?
Are you ready to earn minutes?
Are you ready to compete every session?
Green flag: Humble, hungry, coachable.
Red flag: Entitled, defensive, easily discouraged.
10) You’ve agreed on what to do if it doesn’t work
This is the hardest part, but it protects everyone.
Ask:
What’s the minimum time we commit to?
What signs tell us it’s time to adjust course?
What does “pivot” look like without shame?
Green flag: Clear exit plan = less panic and better decisions.
Red flag: No plan, just pressure.
The most honest question of all
Are you moving to Europe because it’s the right next step…
or because you’re afraid of missing the window?
Fear creates rushed decisions.
Clarity creates strong ones.
Want the full checklist as a printable tool?
We turned this into a downloadable Europe Readiness Checklist (with a scoring sheet, decision questions, and an action plan to fix gaps before you go).
If you want it, we’ll send it to you and include a short guide on:
What to do first
What to avoid
What “good” looks like for a 13–18-year-old moving abroad
Just drop your email into the Next Level Footballer newsletter and we’ll send it over: info@nxtlvlfootballer.com