Thinking of taking a gap year to focus on football? You’re not alone. More and more players are stepping away from traditional school routes to train, travel, and develop their game in new environments.
Whether you want to chase a pro dream, improve for college recruitment, or simply grow through the game, FootballPlayerLinker helps players find the right football programs, academies, and scholarships abroad—all in one place.
Why Take a Gap Year for Football?
A gap year can be a game-changer. It gives you time to:
Train full-time without school distractions
Play against tougher competition
Build exposure and create new scouting opportunities
Travel and grow as a person and a player
It’s a chance to level up your football and your life.
Where Can You Spend a Football Gap Year?
Here are some of the most popular (and effective) destinations:
1.
United States
Combine training with possible college recruitment
Join gap-year programs tied to community colleges or prep academies
Compete in tournaments and invite NCAA scouts to your games using FootballPlayerLinker's Database
- 2.
- United Kingdom
Train at private academies offering links to non-league and pro clubs
Train at any Professional club of your choice from the National League to the Premier League
Access competitive environments year-round and possibly get signed
Use it as a stepping stone to trials or university football
- 3.
- Spain, Portugal, Germany, Italy
Join technical development academies with pro exposure
Play in any club of your choice using FootballPlayerLinker's Database
Learn football the European way
- How to Find and Apply for Gap Year Football Programs
That’s where FootballPlayerLinker comes in.
The platform connects players like you with:
Verified football academies abroad in La liga, MLS NEXT, Liga-Nos, Ligue 1, Premier League e.g.
- All you have to do is:
follow the steps on FootballPlayerLinker's Database
“I used FootballPlayerLinker during my gap year after high school. Ended up joining a club in England for 6 months, and now I’ve just commited to an NCAA college.”
— Samuel, 18, Canada
What Makes a Football Gap Year Worth It?
You train full-time, sometimes even twice a day
You live and learn in a new country
You play in front of scouts and college coaches
You grow confidence, independence, and football IQ
- Don’t Waste Your Gap Year. Make It Count.
Whether you’re 17 or 21, your gap year should push your football career forward—not keep it on pause. With FootballPlayerLinker, you can find the right opportunity to turn that year into a launchpad.
Start your football journey abroad at
www.footballplayerlinker.com