Meet Aidan Leith

Aidan was selected during a Miami tryout, organized by Rush Soccer in mid June 2019. 

Fifty players, all affiliated with Rush clubs from Miami Rush and Puerto Rico Rush, attended the event as Getafe International Madrid Football Academy evaluated players to find the top ten performers. Following the evaluation and event, Getafe International contacted the top ten players and asked for academic transcripts. Upon receiving all the files, the top 3 players on the basis of soccer and academic performances were offered scholarships for the Academy in Madrid. 

Aidan was selected as one of the top three players and was offered a 50% Scholarship in our Getafe International MFA program.

In September, Getafe International welcomed Aidan at Aquinas American School and helped start his academic journey in Madrid. He has since been enrolled in his Grade 10 to continue his High School Diploma while training in the afternoons with Getafe International in the Soccer Development Program.

Let's get to know Aidan a bit more:

1. Tell us a bit about yourself (name, age, where are you from...)

My name is Aidan Leith and I was born in Philadelphia, but grew up in Miami. I am 15 years old and turn 16 November 7, 2003.

2. What club where you playing in Miami?

I played for Kendall Soccer Coalition Development Academy.

3. When did you start practicing the sport and why?

I started playing soccer at around 5 years of age. I started playing because both my mother and father played soccer and soccer is a great influence in my home.

4. What is your favorite part about your soccer practice?

My favorite part about soccer practice is being able to improve myself and then applying it in a game.

5. What do you hope to achieve during the Getafe International MFA soccer program? 

During the Getafe MFA International Soccer Program I hope to improve my game and be recognized by Getafe or other Spanish clubs.

6. How have you adapted to Madrid way of Life?

Adapting to the Madrid way of life is very easy. The people are very kind and always try to be helpful. Other members of the residence are also very helpful in the public transportation aspect and more.

7. Do you have any soccer player idols? And if not, do you have any other idols (not related to the sport) that inspire you? If so, what makes them your hero?

Two of my soccer player idols are De Bruyne and Xavi Hernandez. They are my idols because they both play in my position and I love their play style. I hope to be like them one day.

8. Can you talk a little bit about your day to day in school and how you are doing (ie. what classes are you taking, what are your favorite parts of the day, how does school compare to back home etc...)

On a normal school day, I take 5 classes per day. The time i take these classes and the day that I take these classes vary. I take English, Math, Chemistry, World History, Spanish, and Yearbook. My favorite part of the day is either math class or lunch break. This is because math is my favorite subject and I like the teacher very much. Back home school was more stressful and the homework load here is more manageable.

9. How does the training you receive at Getafe International MFA compared with the training you had at home?

The training I receive at Getafe MFA International focuses more on the technical ability of the individual player and is very good. Also, the coaches strongly encourage movement off the ball and moving the ball quickly.

10. Would you recommend this program? why?

I would recommend the program because it is a fantastic opportunity to be able to get an education and player soccer in Madrid. We get exposed to professional players and coaches frequently and go to La Liga games and tour the stadiums. We also play against top tier competition and receive great training.