Back when he was six years old and living in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, Yuval Ranon started playing soccer.

Ten years on from first picking up a soccer ball, the game has taken him around the world. Last summer, the 16-year-old forward joined Werder Bremen’s Academy, becoming one of the latest U.S.-based youth prospects to try his luck in Europe.

“I understand that this step is a new beginning for which I need to work hard and stay focused in order to once again prove my worth in the big arena which is Europe,” Ranon told TopDrawerSoccer.

Like many other U.S.-based players, it was a winding road, full of hard-work, determination and proving oneself in a difficult environment. Before moving this year, Ranon played in a US Soccer Development Academy in NC where he started out as an attacking midfielder before moving up front. He was one of the top goal scorers in the league the past few seasons, including 30 goals in the 2020-21 regular season.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ranon played at the 2019 ICC Futures tournament in Florida. Top Pro clubs from Europe first caught a sight of the striker there and followed after Ranon’s advancement.

Encouragement from his parents played a pivotal role in his eventual move abroad. Already tearing up the scoring charts in the US, his father Barak started to reach out to advisors and top clubs in Europe.

After travel restrictions started to loosen, and as he neared his 16th birthday, the possibility to head abroad was raised again. Working with advisors – and with a view towards maintaining college eligibility as long as possible – his father took him to Europe earlier this year in an attempt to land with a club. German citizenship allowed Ranon to move this summer at the age of 16.

“The training abroad, especially at top clubs that we were at, was great,” Ranon said. “Before you start and at the beginning I was nervous, worried, I wanted to make sure I did well. Having my dad by my side was huge, he knows how to focus me, he takes care of everything around me and allows me to focus on performing on the pitch.

Ranon won the Mid-Atlantic Cup in 2021 with North Carolina FC.

“I had to be very strong mentally and in top physical condition, the level is the highest in the world, on the pitch [there is] zero space, when you get the ball immediately you have an opponent all over you, , so you have to think fast react fast and either shoot, pass or move with the ball and it is very physical. You have to come prepared, otherwise you won’t succeed, you need to be on your best shape physically both stamina and power and sharp technically and of course very strong mentally.”

Despite his individual success over in the United States, Ranon knew that he would have to work even harder to prove himself in the demanding environment of top European clubs.

“I knew and felt coming in that I would be looked at as an underdog because US soccer is still looked at as inferior to European,” he said. “I felt I must have courage, and I knew they will only give me professional respect if I earn it – and so I did. The Germans and the staff at SV Werder Bremen were very inviting and professional, extremely organized, the trials were planned to perfection, everything they did made immediate sense & the facilities are incredible.”

Ranon was able to make a strong positive impression with Werder Bremen, which landed him a spot on their U17 team. He’s featured in the U17 Bundesliga Nord/Nordost division, scoring six goals so far. Along with that, Ranon recently played at U17 UEFA European qualifiers with Israel, scoring in a 3-1 win against Georgia and drawing 1-1 vs England national team which advanced him toThe next round of qualifying is set for spring 2023; with it comes the chance to potentially guide Israel to the Under-17 UEFA Championship set for May. In the meantime, the former North Carolina native is eager to continue improving and bettering himself in Bremen.

“I plan to use the coaching staff, teammates, facilities, and Bundesliga to increase my capabilities in finishing, playmaking, strength and conditioning,” Ranon said. “I am also very excited for the fact I’ll be playing against some of the best clubs in Europe as opponents as this should also improve my soccer. I also want to learn German, and obviously finish high school.”

Ranon knows that the challenge ahead of him are substantial. But he was grateful for the opportunity at Werder Bremen, and his parents, coaches and advisors that opened the door for him as he looks to make it in Germany.