Mark Ellis, RIASA Academy Director, is thrilled to announce that alongside other investors he has recently acquired a major shareholding in former Premier League Finnish club PS Kemi Kings, meaning this will now offer further exciting opportunities for graduated RIASA student athletes!
Having the club will provide an extended pathway for both male and female undergraduate and postgraduate students, allowing them to continue to play in a professional environment, along with the chance to be seen and progress more easily and beyond what was previously achievable.
Therefore, what was only a dream of a playing career, including the Champions or Europa leagues, could now be a reality for those student athletes who make the grade.
For those with the right attitude, understanding and level of ability on and off the field the possibilities are endless.
Former RIASA student Christian Eissele was one of those players. Playing across 3 different divisions in Finland, and winning promotion with the then Kemi Kings, followed by spells in Sweden before finally returning to America to finish his career in the USL.
Presently in the Finnish 3rd division, the club will be the start of a new chapter in the history of the Academy.
Kicking off for the first time in May, with the main aim of returning to the top tier as soon as possible. However, during this time, any player showing exceptional talent will still have ongoing opportunities for progression.
Transfers to other European teams will be overseen by the club’s Finnish registered UEFA agent who will be at all home games and already works with some of the top sides in Finland and across Europe.
Since May 2021, the UEFA Europa Conference League also offers any qualifying Finnish teams an extra 3 places to help more young players to be able to experience the taste of playing European football.
So for those of you already on the journey with us, the sky’s the limit. For those of you we are yet to meet, why wait, stop just dreaming of ‘the life’, come and live it!
We are still recruiting talented & dedicated student-athletes, both male & female, for Fall 2022 intake. Join RIASA and embark on earning a dual accredited US/UK degree, whilst training & playing for 9 months of the year.
Men’s Undergraduate Soccer Programme
