When Milo Beimers set off on a van journey around Europe to find a new club, the final destination was always unknown. Along with his dad Kevin and their converted transit van, the plan was to travel about 2,000 miles from Belfast to Spain, and eventually into Portugal. The 18-year-old former Glentoran goalkeeper had a number of trials lined up but no idea where the next step of his footballing career would be.
After 30 days on the road, Beimers has signed for Viterbese, who play in a medieval city an hour outside of Rome in Serie D - the fourth tier in Italy. "There's been a lot of ups and a lot of downs, but in the end it's worked out and the risk has paid off," said Beimers. "Living in a van is something new and I'll maybe never do it again, but we've learned a lot from it.
"I'm really proud to find a club and continue my journey in Europe." Destination unknown - goalkeeper's 2,000-mile van trip to find new club After he left Glentoran, where he had been from the age of 13, the initial plan for Beimers, his dad and their van was a 2,000-mile journey with a number of trials. It was far from the traditional route to find a new club, and it is perhaps no surprise it took Beimers to an unexpected place. After a trial with Hercules in Spain, he flew back to London for another opportunity but a call took him to Italy.
After one month on the road, the successful trial led to him signing with Viterbese to achieve his goal of finding a new club. "When I came back from England, there was a week where nothing was happening and then suddenly I'm getting signed for a club," said Beimers, who is a Canada youth international. "My mum always says life moves really slow and then it moves really quickly all of a sudden, and that's exactly what's happened.
"There was a moment of realisation whenever I signed that was just like 'I've done it'. "You have all this stress built up. You have all these questions like 'why is this not working?' But then to suddenly sign is amazing." Viterbese were relegated to Serie D last season and Beimers says part of the appeal is wanting to get them promoted back to the third tier.
For the new season they have merged with another club under the banner of Vigor Campagnano Gialloblu, but Viterbese is still their home and DNA. But that was not the only thing that attracted him to the club, with the facilities, a 7,000-seater stadium and people behind the scenes also key. "They've been through a lot in the history of the club, and the the people are a big thing for me.
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