As US college athletes approach the end of their collegiate careers, they face a pivotal choice: transition to professional sports, explore different career avenues, or continue their athletic pursuits in new settings.
At Play Overseas, we assist hundreds of former college athletes looking to continue their sporting careers every year. Working with the best sporting universities in the UK, we are able to present our applicants with opportunities that allow them to not only continue playing for another year, but also secure a master’s degree in the same time.
For some of our students, a postgraduate year overseas not only equips them with an international qualification and new life experiences, but it can also serve as a stepping stone toward a professional playing career.
That’s precisely what transpired for women’s soccer player Arryana Daniels, who with our expert guidance and support, was able to seamlessly transition and continue her impressive college career in England during the 2021-22 season.After a successful year playing with her UK university team, she was able to utilize the contacts made during her time overseas to secured a professional contract with Nottingham Forest Women’s F.C.
Arryana’s journey is one that many student-athletes can relate to. From navigating transfers, overcoming injuries, and moving overseas to pursue sporting excellence.
| That’s precisely what transpired for women’s soccer player Arryana Daniels, who with our expert guidance and support, was able to seamlessly transition and continue her impressive college career in England during the 2021-22 season.
After a successful year playing with her UK university team, she was able to utilize the contacts made during her time overseas to secured a professional contract with Nottingham Forest Women’s F.C. Arryana’s journey is one that many student-athletes can relate to. From navigating transfers, overcoming injuries, and moving overseas to pursue sporting excellence. |
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We take a look at Arryana’s journey from the NCAA to securing a professional contract playing soccer as shares she reflects on her time as a student-athlete in the UK.
Winthrop to Temple
Arryana began her collegiate soccer career at Winthrop University when she made an immediate impact, appearing in all 16 games as a freshman. Her impressive rookie season earned her a well-deserved spot on the Big South Conference Rookie Team.
Her excellent form continued in her Sophomore year as she picked up All-Big South First Team honors, before an ACL injury brought her season to an end. During her rehabilitation, Arryana entered the NCAA transfer portal and decided to make the move to Temple University.
After making a full recovery, she went onto start all 26 games for the Cherry and White, and was named team captain for her senior season in 2021.
Working with Play Overseas
Shortly after her senior season ended, Arryana contacted Play Overseas and explained her ambitions to continue playing whilst furthering her education. In the following months, we were able to present her with a number of opportunities to play college soccer and purse her preferred major in Public Health.
Upon graduating from Temple University in the summer of 2021, Arryana arrived in the UK later that year to continue playing college soccer during the 2021-22 season at one of the top sporting universities in the country.
A successful season of UK university soccer
The talented defender enjoyed an excellent season with her UK university team, anchoring her team’s defense and helping capture the 2021-22 British Universities and Colleges Sports National Trophy.
“I really enjoyed my time as a postgraduate student-athlete in the UK. One of the main reasons being was there was more free-time and overall freedom compared to being a student-athlete in America.
Playing soccer for the university was great because everyone in and around the team was welcoming, supportive, and friendly. They played a huge part in me getting comfortable and enjoying life in the UK.”
First professional contract with Nottingham Forest Women’s F.C.
It was during her time at university, that Arryana was introduced to the Nottingham Forest Ladies Reserves manager.
“I thankfully was introduced to the reserves manager by my university coach who also works with the Nottingham Forest Women’s first team. From that introduction, I trialed for a few training sessions before being offered a spot to play with the reserves.”
As a student, Arryana combined her studies with training up to three times a week with matches on top. After impressing with the Nottingham Forest Women’s F.C. reserves and completing her studies, Arryana’s hard work paid off as she earned a call up to the first team.
“After playing with the Reserves for the majority of my university season, I was called up a few times to train and play with the first team. Shortly after I completed my degree, I was able to sign my first professional contract with Nottingham Forest Women’s F.C.”
Life as a professional soccer player
As an integral part of the first team, Arryana has been prominently featured across Nottingham Forest’s social media platforms.
As well as collaborating with esteemed figures like England internationals Dean Henderson and Jesse Lingard, Arryana has also been the face of various brand deals with renowned brands like Art of Football.
“I’ve had a great time doing media content and meeting both men’s players and individuals that work in collaboration with the club! It’s been a pleasure to have conversations with top professionals and I have tried to make the most of the time we spend together during shoots.”
Watch Arryana team up with Jesse Lingard in the Forest TV Headphone Challenge.
Arryana’s advice for student-athletes considering this opportunity
In April 2023, Arryana helped Nottingham Forest Women’s F.C. lift the FA Women’s National League Cup for the first time in their history.
Despite a narrow defeat in in the FA Women’s National League play-off final which meant that Forest missed out on promotion to the Championship, Arryana’s ambitions are to remain in England and continue her promising career.
When asked what advice she would give to any student-athlete considering a postgraduate season overseas, Arryana shared her insights:
“Some advice would be to get fully immersed into your postgraduate experience at the university you choose, make friends with those in your team and club at uni and spend time with them outside of whichever sport you play.
While doing that also try to make connections with the help of your coach/manager to play externally with a club and start making an impact in whichever team they have room for you on (reserves, first team, etc.).
From there, I’d say work hard in training and games to make a name for yourself through your efforts.”
Want to take your soccer career overseas like Arryana?
When studying in the UK, student-athletes can benefit from a unique platform that allows them to make crucial connections within the sports industry. As well as competing against talented players from universities around the country, students can network with coaches, scouts, and even fellow players who may have professional connections.
Play Overseas can help you find exciting opportunities to continue your college soccer career and education at institutions across the UK. Using our FREE service, we can present options based on your specific athletic and academic ambitions, paving the path to your future success.
Register your details via the link below to take your sporting career overseas!
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