18-year-old goalkeeper embarks on 2,000-mile van journey to find new club

Milo Beimers, an 18-year-old goalkeeper from Northern Ireland, has begun a 2,000-mile journey across Europe in a campervan to secure a new football club. Following the completion of his education, he decided to leave Glentoran, the NIFL Premiership side where he had played since the age of 13, to pursue a career in continental Europe. Accompanied by his father, Kevin, Beimers travelled from Belfast to Dublin, took a ferry to France, and drove south into Spain. The pair plan to travel along the Spanish coast before heading inland towards the Portuguese border, with Lisbon and Porto as key destinations. While the route is planned, his final destination remains uncertain. Beimers told BBC Sport NI that he prefers to do things differently and create his own opportunities, noting that now is the ideal time as he has no commitments holding him back. The van, owned by his sister Charlie, was purchased in poor condition and required three attempts to pass its MOT before being converted into a mobile home with a bed, storage, and cooking facilities. Beimers has arranged several trials in Spain and Portugal through his agent and plans a short flight to England for a training session with a London-based club. While he has kept most club names private, he has already trained with the Spanish third-tier side Hercules. He is targeting clubs within the top five tiers of Spanish and Portuguese football, including both youth and senior setups. Between trials, he trains on Spanish beaches and is learning the language to adapt to the new environment. Beimers acknowledges the risk but remains pragmatic, stating that he has a home to return to in Northern Ireland if the plan fails. The van travel has reportedly intrigued some clubs, as it removes the need for them to cover his accommodation or transport costs. His father, a video game designer, describes the trip as a shared family project. Born in Northern Ireland to Canadian parents, Beimers represented Canada at the 2025 U17 World Cup. He also holds a Dutch passport through his grandfather, which simplifies the registration process for European clubs. His ultimate goal is to play at the highest level, joking that if he ever plays against Barcelona or Real Madrid, he will retire immediately.