What Playing Football in Germany Taught Me

Moving abroad for football gave me an opportunity I wanted, but it also changed almost every part of my daily routine. My route to Hannover's second team began while I still had time left on my West Ham contract, with a trial at Eintracht Braunschweig. I remember training in the snow, the cold in my hands and the feeling that I had stepped well outside my comfort zone.

I played two matches there and scored five goals, according to my recollection in the video. Hannover then showed interest. I felt wanted by the people I met at the club and chose that path. At that stage, I could picture the move working out brilliantly.

A move can change before you arrive

I could not sign until the end of the season. By the time I joined, the coaching situation had changed. The people who first saw me were not necessarily the people making every decision when I arrived. That is part of football: a player's plan can be affected by changes far beyond their control.

I also suffered an injury in pre-season. I felt I had lost some of the explosiveness I had brought into the move and had to fight for my place while adapting to a new coach. None of that meant Germany had been the wrong decision; it meant the reality was more complicated than the trial had suggested.

Life beyond the training ground

The language barrier was one of the hardest adjustments. I knew a little German from school, but understanding teammates in everyday conversation was different. As my German improved, I felt more connected to the group. Food, preparation for matches and the way people worked were different from what I knew in England too.

I am grateful for that chapter. It taught me about football, about being away from home and about adapting when the situation changes. My advice to a player considering a move abroad is to look beyond the club name: think about the people, the language, the support around you and what happens if the original plan changes.

Watch me tell the full story on YouTube.