The club can confirm the departure of Bryce Orsini.
Orsini has signed a professional contract with American side Maryland Bobcats FC, who jumped to professional play in July 2020 following their acceptance into the third division of the National Independent Soccer Association. Orsini previously played for the Bobcats when they were part of the United Premier Soccer League.
The forward joined Wakefield at the start of the season as part of our Elite Football Programme which provides players with the opportunity to live, train and play in a professional environment and be coached by ex-professional footballers and highly qualified coaches.
The 20-year-old has certainly shown himself to be the ideal Elite Football Programme recruit. “Bryce is the perfect example of someone wanting to better himself,” said Lee Crooks, EFP Manager.
“He turned up every day, always asking questions, always so determined. He’s a coach’s dream: willing to listen, to learn, to improve. I’ll be keeping in touch with him and his family. He may not be over here training with us anymore, but I can still help him develop as a player. I want to continue that journey with Bryce. If I had a team full of Bryces, it would make my job a lot easier!”
The Elite Football Programme is ideal for players wanting to work towards their goals and dreams.
“It’s a massive stepping stone, not just for football but for life!” Crooks commented. “To be able to train full time is a massive privilege. And to get to have an education alongside this is a great position for a player to be in. I did something similar when I was younger and it was invaluable for me to live away from home, learn all these essential life skills and mature as a person and a player. If anyone is serious about football and wants to get their heads down, this is the perfect opportunity. We have all these professionals driving it all, and its such a fantastic programme to be part of.”
During his time at Wakefield, Orsini became a fan favourite, earning the moniker ‘the American Wizard’ due to his guile and creativity on the field. Orsini made the number eleven shirt his own, wearing it on each of his six league appearances, being ever-present in the line-up before the postponement of the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Senior League. Adam Lockwood, First Team Manager commented, “Bryce has been a pleasure to coach and work with, not only on the pitch but off the pitch and the way he conducts himself is outstanding.”
Orsini’s continued dedication was duly rewarded with him deservedly named Fans’ Player of the Month for October after a sublime strike from distance against Wombwell Main FC to score his one and only league goal, and a hat-trick of assists at Stocksbridge Park Steels.
Orsini caught the eye of Wakefield AFC Chairman Chris Turner, who said, “Bryce came with a very positive approach to everything, in his training and match performances he was very professional, and he had a thirst for information.” It is this versatility and reliability that has propelled Orsini back into the sights of a professional football club in his homeland.
Orsini’s enrolment into our Elite Football Programme “has shown what can be achieved by coming to Wakefield AFC,” continued Turner, “As he embarks on a new stage of his career, Bryce has left us with a great impression. The next player to do this could be you, we are on the lookout for players with the right attitude, focus and ambition, and if that’s you please come and join Wakefield AFC: the club of future stars!”
Echoing Turner’s sentiments, Lockwood added, “I would like to wish Bryce well on behalf of myself and the club in his journey into professional football. Hopefully, his time with Wakefield AFC has helped prepare him for his journey. Bryce is an example of why our club’s journey has begun and hopefully we will help many players in the future to reach their goals.”
Though Orsini enjoyed only a short spell at Wakefield, the experience within the EFP has been invaluable for his development. “Wakefield AFC taught me a lot of things both on and off the field, many of which I will continue to implement into my future as a footballer with the Maryland Bobcats,” said Orsini.
Orsini is hoping to make his first appearance for the Bobcats when their Spring season commences this April.
Everyone at Wakefield AFC would like to take this opportunity to thank Bryce for his contribution to the club, and to wish him well for what is a promising career ahead.
Click here for more information about our Elite Football Programme
The club can also confirm the departures of Jack Budge, Monaye Mitchell, Hemir Lopez, Crescenzio Arvanitis, Anastasis Papanastasiou and Kane Craddock. We wish them all the best for the future.
