Sevy Esmaeily: Part-time footballer from Sheffield embarks on exciting new adventure in Dubai
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Sevy Esmaeily, from Lodge Moor, last month joined the EPC – Elite Performance Centre – UAE programme, which is overseen by former Premier League star Danny Guthrie.
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Hide AdLeft-back Sevy, aged 23, previously played for a host of non-league sides including Sheffield FC, Goole AFC and Belper Town alongside his career in marketing.
Now his teammates include former PSV, Ajax and Real Madrid hotshot Mink Peeters.
Ex-Birkdale pupil Sevy said: “He’s a top player. I have gone from playing non-league to playing with someone from Real Madrid, it’s crazy.
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Hide Ad“Everything has been sweet here. There’s players from Argentina, Columbia and Brazil.”
The EPC will field a team in the UAE Third Division next season – the fourth tier of football in the country – with the aim of developing players to play at a higher level.
“They are trying to get players that are good enough to go to the next step in professional football,” said Sevy, who is training up to twice a day on a full-time basis.
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Hide Ad“It was a no-brainer for me. I thought ‘I’m going to learn a lot from Danny’. Even though it’s low down he knows what he’s doing.
“He’s played in the Premier League, so I can learn a lot from him. I just thought it was better than playing non-league.”
How does the UAE compare to Sheffield at this time of year?
“It's hot,” said Sevy, who has been playing in temperatures close to 40 degrees.
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Hide Ad“After training you can go to a beach, it’s good for recovery.”
Sevy has been joined in Dubai by his girlfriend Ella and is eyeing a move to Europe or a bigger club in the Middle East next.
He has been spurred on by best pal Jordan Amissah, who plays for Sheffield United and made his professional debut last month.
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Hide AdSevy said: “He been doing well and it’s been a driving factor for me.
“He is like my little brother.”
He added: “Hopefully I’ll get a move in January and if I’m at a decent level I can work my way into the Iran national team.
“That’s the plan – to use this as a stepping stone.”