YOG Cub Bryan Neubronner signs for German club

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While plans for the 2015 SEA Games are laid down for the youngsters who will carry the nation's hopes at the new SportsHub, one 17-year-old has taken personal responsibility for his development in the hope of donning national colours.

Bryan Neubronner has signed a two-year youth contract with German fifth-tier club SSV Ulm 1864 to play for its under-19 side, and will leave for Ulm, in the south-west of Germany, on Sunday. And the pacy forward will only be 20 come 2015, easily qualifying for the SEA Games football tournament, which is an under-23 competition.

Speaking to TODAY, Nuebronner, who was part of Kadir Yahaya's side that won bronze at the 2010 inaugural Youth Olympic Games, said: "My dream is to play for Singapore, but there aren't that many opportunities for young footballers here.

"I'm really excited by the chance to play overseas, and also relieved because the earlier move to Croatia didn't go through."

Initially primed to join Croatian top-flight side NK Osijek after spending three months there last year, visa issues saw the move scuppered.

"From what I've seen there's a lot of healthy competition in the under-19 youth league in Germany, and several opportunities to face top sides. In fact, the week I arrive we will be facing the Bayern Munich under-19 side in a friendly," he said.

"My aim is simply to work hard in training, and hopefully make the Ulm senior team after one year."

With the help of former S-League footballer Marko Kraljevic - who now runs four five-a-side astro-turf football facilities under the umbrella of Stadio - Neubronner visited Germany earlier this year and spent a month on trial at Ulm while also looking for suitable international schools.

While the youngster will not give up education in search of his football dream, other sacrifices are already required.

"I was in Germany alone then, and will go there on my own this time as well. While I will struggle to leave my family behind, a lot of my family are already based outside of Singapore, and I'm quite used to being alone," said Neubronner, who has German heritage.

And he may pull the heritage card to further his career, a move that may see Singapore lose out.

"I would love to play for Singapore, but National Service is a problem. But having said that, it will be a hard decision to have to give up my Singapore citizenship."