2022-03-28, 07:13 AM - Word count:
Chapter one: The Draft
Patrik wasn't quite sure what to expect going into the initial SSL draft. He was a late bloomer back home in Sweden and had never even played first division football before, but had been garnering some attention from teams in his last season of play. It was all a little daunting and he felt that above all, he would like to stay fairly close to home. So he was really hoping for one of the European teams to call his name. In the end, he wound up in Tokyo for his first season.
Chapter two: Season 1, Tokyo
Before going to Tokyo, he had never really been outside of Sweden. He'd taken the boat over to Finland in his teens but that hardly counts. I think it was fairly evident that the mental strain of the move and the culture shock was just too much for him. He had a tough season and so did the team, although Tokyo did end up rallying to win the Founders Shield which was very exciting. But it was evident that cracks had already started to form and with the announcement of an expansion prior to the second official season of the SSL starting, Björkås was left unprotected by Tokyo to no ones surprise.
Chapter three: Season 2, Montreal
Patrik was picked up by Montreal in the S2 expansion and went on the move again to a new home in a far away country he had never been to. At first, it seemed like he had found his stride and he was improving with the team and was playing quite well. It seemed to be a great fit personally too, with lots of pictures in circulation of the team meeting outside of training or match hours to hang out together. But again, it seemed like the cultural change was just too much for Björkås as the further the season went along, the more he seemed to drift and lose focus on the game. Another expansion was announced prior to the start of season 3 and once again Björkås was left unprotected.
Chapter four: Season 3, Buenos Aires
Now on his third team in three seasons, as well as his third continent in three seasons, Björkås seems to have finally gotten used to the idea of travel and going to new places. It was apparent from day one that he took a much more active role in training, improving himself and being a more active part of the team in general. Only time will tell how the season will go but things are starting to look up for the young midfielder. Has this journeyman in the making finally found his grove? We'll just have to wait and see.
Patrik wasn't quite sure what to expect going into the initial SSL draft. He was a late bloomer back home in Sweden and had never even played first division football before, but had been garnering some attention from teams in his last season of play. It was all a little daunting and he felt that above all, he would like to stay fairly close to home. So he was really hoping for one of the European teams to call his name. In the end, he wound up in Tokyo for his first season.
Chapter two: Season 1, Tokyo
Before going to Tokyo, he had never really been outside of Sweden. He'd taken the boat over to Finland in his teens but that hardly counts. I think it was fairly evident that the mental strain of the move and the culture shock was just too much for him. He had a tough season and so did the team, although Tokyo did end up rallying to win the Founders Shield which was very exciting. But it was evident that cracks had already started to form and with the announcement of an expansion prior to the second official season of the SSL starting, Björkås was left unprotected by Tokyo to no ones surprise.
Chapter three: Season 2, Montreal
Patrik was picked up by Montreal in the S2 expansion and went on the move again to a new home in a far away country he had never been to. At first, it seemed like he had found his stride and he was improving with the team and was playing quite well. It seemed to be a great fit personally too, with lots of pictures in circulation of the team meeting outside of training or match hours to hang out together. But again, it seemed like the cultural change was just too much for Björkås as the further the season went along, the more he seemed to drift and lose focus on the game. Another expansion was announced prior to the start of season 3 and once again Björkås was left unprotected.
Chapter four: Season 3, Buenos Aires
Now on his third team in three seasons, as well as his third continent in three seasons, Björkås seems to have finally gotten used to the idea of travel and going to new places. It was apparent from day one that he took a much more active role in training, improving himself and being a more active part of the team in general. Only time will tell how the season will go but things are starting to look up for the young midfielder. Has this journeyman in the making finally found his grove? We'll just have to wait and see.
