With extensive commitment and sacrifice, a select few youth club soccer players are starting to realize their dream of playing soccer in Europe.

Colby Kraynak is one of those lucky few. With the help and support of his family and an insatiable desire to play soccer, Kraynak is realizing and tapping into his potential in Spain.

The 12-year-old is joining RCD Espanyol’s academy on a one-year deal, which is the standard for Spain.

“He will be playing Infantil B (2002 birth years),” Scott Kraynak, Colby’s father, told TopDrawerSoccer. “Espanyol only carries one team per calendar year age group but similar to Barcelona, plays a year up in age group. Infantil A & B will both play in the Infantil Primera division.”

The path from Florida to Spain was a winding one for Kraynaks.

“Colby started playing soccer at 4, like most with his dad coaching at the YMCA,” Scott Kraynak said. “His first club was Fishhawk Soccer Club followed by West Florida Flames. He was fortunate to have great coaches, always allowing him to be “himself” and play with creativity. His former coaches continue to keep tabs and follow up to ensure Colby is still working hard but most importantly still having fun.”

The coaching helped refine Colby’s game but it was the computer that allowed Colby’s imagination to start to run free.

“Colby is definitely a child of the YouTube generation,” Scott Kraynak said. “He spent hours watching his favorite players: Messi, Neymar, and Ronaldinho. Watching, working tirelessly by himself in the house/backyard, and determined to learn their moves and style.”

The Kraynaks also gave credit to Jorge ‘Yoyo’ Zavala of West Florida Flames and Romildo Sanchez of the Players Club for molding his technical foundation.   

Despite his young age, Espanyol is not the first club to take a look at Colby Kraynak.

“Bayer Leverkusen was Colby’s first trip to Europe,” Scott Kraynak said. “Mark Dillon (FC Orlando) watched him play during a Disney tournament and invited him to join the small group he was taking over. He was the youngest of a group of eight boys.”

Scott Kraynak went on to say that Colby impressed the coaches enough to earn an open invite back.

“I think this trip was extremely important, as he was able to get a touch and feel for the first time a professional youth academy,” Scott Kraynak said. “He was able to see the commitment and dedication of kids his own age and play with and against the highest level of soccer in Germany/Europe. He came back to the States with the confidence and belief he could fit in and play at their level.”

After Bayer Leverkusen, Colby Kraynak and his father moved to Chicago Fire and played for the club’s 2002 squad. Along the way, a serendipitous connection helped Kraynak earn an invite to train with Barcelona.

“The Barcelona trial consisted of four training sessions in October,” Scott Kraynak said. “He joined me while on a business trip search for new office space in Spain. It was arranged by Mauri Columbo (a friend of the club and a friend of a friend). Colby’s videos were forwarded and viewed by the Director of La Masia, Guillermo Amor. After reviewing and discussing, an invitation for a trial was extended. The week went well and he was offered to join the team after the season in June.”

Kraynak was on the verge of joining the illustrious youth academy of one of the biggest clubs in the world, but a bizarre transfer ban from FIFA put some brakes on the plan.

“Colby returned in the middle of March with the plan to play Futbol Sala with FC Barcelona until the futbol 7 season ended in June,” Scott Kraynak said. “He trained with the Futbol Sala group for a few weeks until FIFA announced their transfer ban. With so much uncertainty, a trial at RCD Espanyol was arranged and after a couple of weeks of training. An invitation to join the team for next season was offered.”

“Although initially disappointed with the FIFA news, Colby feels at home and honored to be part of the Espanyol family,” Scott Kraynak added. “From day one he’s felt welcomed by their coaches, players, and staff and looking forward to playing for one of the oldest clubs in Spain.”

The Kraynaks also gave credit to Greg Peterson of Extra Time for helping guide them through the process.

The preseason begins for Colby Kraynak on Aug. 25, but he and his father are already there and getting adjusted to life in Barcelona, Spain.

“I think the most difficult part of moving to Spain by far is missing family and friends,” Scott Kraynak said. “I think we all take so much for granted. There is originally so much excitement and adrenalin when we first arrived and then you realize it’s not a vacation and we’ve moved to a new country.”

photos via http://www.colbykraynak.tumblr.com/