CONEL academy football player signs with top Portuguese club Maritimo

18 year old CONEL footballer Romans Andrejevs has secured a professional contract with top-flight Portuguese side Maritimo.

Romans joined CONEL’s Charlton Athletic Football Club Development Squad in 2017 and is currently studying a Sport First Diploma with us. He explained that, after playing for a professional team and the Latvian national under-16 side, he decided to move to the UK “because there is more opportunity to play here”. 

He went on to say “I live with my sister here in England. I played for West Ham foundation for 1 year then moved to CONEL and have played here for 2 years” Josemar Santos is CONEL’s head coach and worked with Romans at West Ham before his job here.

He said: “Josemar has helped me understand the game better. The college has outstanding facilities, the teachers are excellent and I’d fully recommend anyone looking for a career in sport to attend CONEL.”

Romans trials for Maritimo were at the end of January. He trained with the under-18’s but coaches quickly moved him to play with the under-23’s as he was dominating the field. After trials Romans was offered a professional contract and is just waiting to complete his international clearance before he can return to Portugal.

Coach Josemar said “I have worked with Romans for three years now, he is a great learner of the game. I am proud to see him move on.”