Midfielder Nick Paige believes playing for División de Honor side CD Vázquez Cultural is a "big honour” - as he is set for an important week of action against Málaga CF and Granada CF.
The Arizona-native joined FC Malaga City Academy at the beginning of the 2020/21 season - and was invited to trial with CD Vázquez Cultural after just a few months.
The 18-year-old has been on trial with clubs in Europe previously, notably Dinamo Zagreb in 2015 and Serbian outfit FK Partizan Belgrade in 2018.
After impressing during his trial period with Vázquez, Paige signed a contract with the Marbella-based club until the end of the season.
Paige and his CD Vázquez Cultural teammates have a big week of football ahead - as they face Málaga CF and Granada CF within the space of four days.
“It is a huge honour to represent CD Vázquez Cultural,” Paige said.
“They are a hometown club that is well known for their hard work and unity - and it’s great to be a part of that.
“It’s going to be an amazing experience facing both Málaga CF and Granada CF in the same week.
“We play Málaga on Wednesday, and Granada on Saturday - and they’re going to be two good games.
“Granada will be a close game, especially at home and the Málaga game on Wednesday will be a tough one because it’s away and not at our home pitch, where we find that we have a great advantage, so it’ll be a tougher game.
“We’re going to their home pitch, going on the road to try and get some points out of it.”
“Playing in a league competition adds just a little bit extra enjoyment because it’s not just friendlies that have been set up - you’re competing for points in a league for positions and those points are vital.”
Outside of training and playing for Vázquez, Paige is with the #FCMC set-up, and believes training and working with the coaches at the club is helping in a number of different ways.
“It’s been really good to stay with FC Malaga City Academy," he said.
"The coaches have been really helpful, and help manage my workload and how much school I'm missing because of travel - and working around that.
“They’re also helping in general helping me with transportation to training and games, which has been really helpful and I thank them for."