Logue is States bound with ’Stute’s blessing

The big centre back is jetting out to Arizona in a few months’ time after he received a full two-year scholarship with Yavapai College.

The Waterside lad admits that he is looking forward to taking that big step as he continues his quest to further his career.

“I can’t wait to go,” he said. “I head over to Arizona in late July, before starting college in early August.

“I was offered a chance to go to a few colleges, but I decided to go with Yavapai, because they made me the best offer overall.

“It’s going to be scary, but when you get an opportunity like this, then you have to take it.”

The 18-year-old concedes that one day he hopes to get the chance of playing football at professional level, and he feels the experience in the USA may help that dream become a reality.

“My aim is to hopefully get picked up by a professional club,” he added.

“If everything goes well in America and I can make my mark there, then you never know.

“There are plenty of opportunities for me, and that’s another reason why I have decided to go to Arizona.”

The Institute U19 captain wants to finish this campaign on a high, and even says that he will be back at Drumahoe to take in a game or two next season.

“We are top of the league (Northern Ireland Football League Youth League B) and I would really want to win the title,” he said.

“I go in July until early December, so I’ll be back home for Christmas for around a month and I’ll definitely be out at ’Stute to take a few games in, before I go back to Arizona for the rest of the term.”

As for ’Stute gaffer Paul Kee, he believes that the talented young defender has a great chance of succeeding in America.

“It’s a good opportunity for Niall to go out to America and increase his soccer education,” said Kee.

“Niall goes to America with our blessing, and if he ever comes back in the future with his football career on track, then I hope he would consider coming back to Institute.

“Niall is a good player, who has a great attitude and he wants to be a player – he makes a good effort.

“I just think he needs to make a bit more of a sacrifice, and I think he’ll do that in the States and with that, I think he’ll be successful.”