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Pathway

A pathway, not a promise

Most academies stop at training. Ours connects players in Asia to the coaches, clubs and trials that Croatian players come through, with honest advice at every step.

Our players in Croatia Trials and representation

How it works

Three stages. Every player starts at the first, and each step is earned.

01 Train every week

Players build technique and game understanding in our academies and school programmes, and test it in league football.

02 Get seen

Our camps put players in front of UEFA-licensed Croatian coaches, who identify who's ready for more.

03 Go to Croatia

Camps and trials with clubs in Croatia. Players who stand out can be placed with a club, guided by a FIFA-licensed agent for minors.

It's already working

Players from our network have signed for clubs in Croatia.

HNK Vukovar 1991

Pocholo Bugas

Age: 24
From: Tagum, Philippines
Position: Winger, wing-back
Joined: October 2025

Born in Tagum in the southern Philippines, Pocholo came through the youth ranks at Far Eastern University before turning professional with United City in 2020. He went on to play in Cambodia with Angkor Tiger and back home with Kaya–Iloilo, and has represented the Philippines at under-18, under-23 and senior level since his full debut against Vietnam in December 2022.

In October 2025 he signed for HNK Vukovar 1991, then in Croatia's top division, on a contract until June 2027. The move was made by CFA in partnership with Rookbook Sports, our agency partner in Singapore.

NK Kamen Podbablje

Vabio Canavaro

Age: 19
From: Maliana, Timor-Leste
Position: Forward, winger
Joined: July 2026

Vabio is a forward from Maliana in western Timor-Leste. He came through the Timor-Leste league and won his first senior cap against Lebanon in March 2025, aged 18. In February 2026 he moved to Singapore with Tanjong Pagar in the Singapore Premier League.

In July 2026 he joined NK Kamen Podbablje in Dalmatia, a move made by CFA in partnership with Rookbook Sports, and was named in Timor-Leste's squad for the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup as a Kamen Podbablje player.

Our coaches

Coaches who've done it

Matija Mijandrušić, our Academy Head Coach, is a UEFA A Elite Youth-licensed coach who leads our coaching curriculum and camps. He has coached players who have gone on to play for clubs across Europe and represent Croatia at youth international level.

Meet Head Coach See CFA Coaching Team

Matija Mijandrušić, CFA Academy Head Coach, coaching a young player

Players Matija has coached

Croatia U21Dominik PrpićFC Porto, Portugal

Photo: FC Porto

Croatia U21Adrian SegečićPortsmouth FC, England

Photo: Portsmouth FC

Croatia U21Roko BrajkovićHajduk Split, Croatia

Photo: HNK Hajduk Split

How players get noticed

There's no shortcut. These are the things our coaches look for.

Every week

Effort in training

Consistent effort and attitude at every session, not just on the big days.

Weekends

Match performances

How players perform in league matches, friendlies and tournaments.

Croatian coaches

Camp assessments

Our UEFA-licensed Croatian coaches assess players in person at every CFA camp.

The next level

Readiness

Whether a player is ready physically, technically and personally for the level above.

Character

How they treat team-mates, coaches, opponents and referees, on and off the pitch.

Always first

The family's wishes

No step is taken without the full agreement of the player's parents or guardians.

Honest about the odds

Very few young players become professionals, anywhere in the world. We'll always be straight with families about where a player stands. The pathway is there for those who earn it, and every player who trains with us becomes a better footballer along the way.

Honest feedback: Clear, regular feedback on progress and potential
No pressure: No family is ever pushed into trials or travel
Proper process: Every move follows FIFA's rules for young players

Trials and representation

Moving abroad, done properly

Moving a young player abroad is a big decision. Here's how we handle it, and how we protect players and families at every step.

Protected by the rules

FIFA tightly restricts international moves for players under 18. The rules exist to protect children, and we follow them to the letter.

International transfers of minors are only allowed in limited circumstances set out in FIFA's regulations. We explain these to every family before any trial is discussed, so expectations are clear from the start.

How we protect players

A licensed agent for minors

Dom Hruskar, Managing Director of CFA Asia, holds a FIFA football agent licence that permits him to represent minors, so club conversations are handled by someone qualified and accountable.

Families decide

Nothing happens without the agreement of parents or guardians. Families can say no at any point.

Education first

We only consider opportunities that let a young player continue their schooling.

How a trial works

Assessment

Coaches assess the player in training, at camps and in matches.

Family conversation

We discuss what a trial would involve, honestly and without pressure.

Club trial

If everyone agrees, we arrange a trial with a suitable club in Croatia.

Next steps

If a club wants to sign the player, we guide the family through every stage.

What families can expect

Our promise to every family on the pathway.

Clear explanations

Every option and every cost explained before anything is decided.

Written agreements

Nothing agreed on a handshake. Every agreement in writing, reviewed together.

Regular updates

Families kept informed at every stage of a trial, not just at the end.

Wellbeing first

Support for the player's wellbeing whenever they're away from home.

Complete confidentiality

Conversations about a player stay between us and the family.

Questions parents ask

At what age can a player go to Croatia?

Players of any age can join a Croatia camp or tour. Club moves for players under 18 are tightly restricted by FIFA, and we follow those rules.

Does joining CFA guarantee a trial?

No. Trials are offered to players who are ready, based on our coaches' assessments in training, at camps and in matches.

Does it cost money to be considered?

Being considered costs nothing beyond normal academy fees. Camps, tours and travel are optional and priced separately.

How do coaches decide who is ready?

They look at consistency in training, performances in matches and at camps, and whether a player is ready physically, technically and personally.

What does a trial in Croatia involve?

Usually several days training with a club, sometimes with a match, so the club's coaches can see the player in their environment.

Who represents my child?

Dom Hruskar, Managing Director of CFA Asia and a FIFA-licensed agent for minors. Every step follows FIFA's regulations.

Do you charge for representation?

We explain any fees in writing before anything is agreed. There are no surprises.

Will my child keep going to school?

Yes. We only consider opportunities that let a young player continue their education.

Can you represent players who don't train with CFA?

Yes. Talk to us. Every case follows the same process and rules.

What if my child isn't ready yet?

Then we'll tell you honestly, and give clear advice on what to work on next.