Sydneysider Szyszka, 18, left NPL NSW 2 side Spirit last month to trial with Figueres and won a contract after impressing by scoring goals for the Catalonian outfit's youth-team.

UE Figueres were founded in 1919 and play in the Spanish third division. Based in the province of Girona, the town of Figueres is best known as the birthplace of artist Salvador Dali.

The teenager has already had a fast start to life in Europe, grabbing a goal in his club debut in the opening match of the season with a 4-0 win over Club Escola de Futbol Girones-Sabat.

“It feels great to be a young Australian coming over to a football-mad country and signing with the club,” he told FTBL.

“Naturally, as a young boy aspiring to be a professional footballer you watch teams such as Barcelona and Real Madrid and aspire to play at the highest level.

“I would say it is a dream come true in a sense. But this is only the beginning for me, I have to prove my worth with Figueres and perform consistently both at training and in matches.”


Szyszka grew up in Drummoyne and started playing for Five Dock and Abbotsford. He came through the Skillaroos and Football NSW Institute programs before joining Spirit FC at the age of 13, and hails former Socceroo Michael Beachamp as his mentor.

“I first started kicking a ball from a very young age, almost as soon as I could walk,” he explained.

“My dad, who is an football-loving Argentine, put a ball at my feet and I began playing for local club Five Dock at the age of four.

"Due to the background of my father, I think I was always destined to play football.”

Szyszka made 24 appearances for Spirit FC’s U18s this year. After a move from central defence to striker, he quickly notched up 10 goals.

But with opportunities rare in his homeland, the young forward has decided to try his luck overseas.

“It has been a strange but good season for myself as I have been playing as a central-defender last season and this season,” he said.

“[But] as we were struggling to score goals I put my hand up to play as a number 9 as I have history in the position, and was always an attacking-minded player in my youth.

“In my eyes I had a great season scoring goals and doing my best to lead my team, being the captain. However, I struggled to see opportunities playing in the U20s or first-team, which was unfortunate.

“Any young aspiring footballer I think associates Europe as the heart of football and from a young age I always dreamt and aspired to play in England, Spain or France, so it is a great feeling playing here.”


Szyszka has started off with Figueres reserves and wants to break into the club’s first-team this season. A long-time Sydney FC fan, the centre forward felt he needed to leave Australia to continue his development.

“In the short-to-medium-term I'd definitely like to make my debut for the first team, as I am currently training and playing in the Juvenil A side which is the team behind the firsts,” he said.

“In the long-term I'd love to move up-and-up. But I want to take it one step at a time and focus on the task at hand. However my ultimate goal is to represent Australia on the national stage.

“l've been attending Sydney FC games since the club's foundation in 2005 and have been a member of the club for over 10 years. Unlike most other footballers my age, I think the A-league is a great league and it has been good to see the league progress in terms of quality and crowd attendance.

“I would have definitely considered playing for the likes of Sydney FC, however opportunities have been limited and unlike Spain, lower division teams are rarely looked at for up and coming talent.

"I believe there is talent in the lower divisions in Australia but there are not enough opportunities."

He added: “I took this Spain opportunity head on. I am fortunate to be surrounded with talented players who have great technical ability and are dedicated, committed and professional.

“Youth football is subjected to a professional training regime, which involves tactical, technical and physical training in preparation for the future.

"I wish I could have this opportunity to improve my game in my home country but unfortunately l will have to pursue my football career overseas.”