The 20-year-old is poised to bring a rare taste of street football to the A-League - and perhaps one day the Socceroos - after arriving at his first senior contract the long way round.

Makeche, 20, told au.fourfourtwo.com he has to “pinch himself” when he reflects on his journey from the poverty-stricken African country to a life of full-time football and part-time study in his adopted homeland.

He said he was fortunate to enjoy a normal childhood and a good education in Lusaka, Zambia's capital, where his father was an accountant and his mother was a TV presenter.

But when it came to football, his development was structureless and improvised play with his friends, leading him to develop the skills that saw him dazzle National Youth League defences last season on his way to eight goals, a senior debut and ultimately a full contract ahead of the upcoming season.

“Since I can remember, I started playing football,” he said. “I didn't really play for a team back home.

“Football was just about enjoying yourself and expressing yourself. That's what I enjoyed doing, and watching players who inspired me like Ronaldo and Brazil. I've always wanted to be a footballer.”

Makeche, whose best strengths are pace and an ability to run at players, said he's a fan of both structured and unstructured football education, but admitted those early years have had a unique influence on his game.

“I enjoyed both. When I came here and went into an organised team it was still good.

“The difference is there's a freedom when you play until dark when your parents call you and it's just something you enjoy with your friends, like a bonding thing.

“It's something I'll never forget, it was special.”

Makeche's parents separated and when he was in his early teens, he and his older brother followed his mother to Western Australia, where she had moved with their baby brother for a fresh start and a Communications degree.

Fast forward six years and not only has Makeche cracked the A-League, he has just started studying a Bachelor of Sports Science after his time at Glory convinced him to drop International Business and Marketing to pursue a subject closer to his heart.

At last week's citizenship ceremony the rest of the Glory squad and coaching staff made a surprise entrance to help Makeche and around 100 other new Australians celebrate.

“It was good, I saw a couple of the boys before I went, and they said they were doing a promotion or something," he said. "I didn't think the whole team and coaches would come.

“I was sitting up the front during the ceremony and when they called my name out I looked back and they were all just coming from out the back, waving flags and stuff. It was pretty cool!”

On his promotion to Ian Ferguson's first team squad this season, Makeche said his rapid rise was hard to digest.

“It's so unreal, I just thank God because without him I wouldn't be here at the moment," he said. "I pinch myself sometimes when I wake up in the morning. I'm finally living the dream.”

There's a long way to go before the speedy goalscorer should be talked about in international football circles, a point he is quick to make, but when pressed on where his allegiance will lie should his career continue its rapid progress, Makeche did admit he is leaning one way.

He added: “If that happened I would like to play for Australia. It would be an honour if I did play for Australia. At the moment I'm just focused on getting into the team and the rest will sort itself out.

“First I need to make sure I'm healthy because I've had a few injuries over the last couple of seasons.

"It's going to be tough because there's a lot of established players there but when my chance comes, hopefully take it with both hands and make an impact.”