2026-04-03, 01:01 PM - Word count:
London, England
After an opening academy season with Stockholm, João Mendes finally got his name called in the S25 SSL Prospect Draft. He was selected third overall by A.C. Romana and will debut in their minor league team, Inter London. During the draft process, Mendes spoke with all the top teams but didn't really have any indications on where he was going to go. Having spoken to Malino on multiple occasions and with A.C. Romana having four first-round selections, Mendes knew this could be one of those landing spots. He did not expect to go so high, however. Even though his academy season didn't go as planned, it was nice to know that his draft interviews and off-field work played a pivotal role.
His first week in London has been going about as well as you would like. He had a chance to meet the management team and go over his goals for season one. They gave him a list of attributes they would like him to focus on and improve, with Mendes being aligned in their approach. He got a chance to meet his new teammates and join the locker room. More importantly, with A.C. Romana drafting 4 prospects in this draft, Mendes wanted to get in early and start to gain chemistry with his new rookie teammates.
With Inter London already having a CDM in Doctor Wad, Mendes is looking to carve a place in the midfield early on. He will likely start on the bench, but with pre-season friendlies underway early next week, Mendes will want to get some minutes under his belt before the start of the season.
[270 words]
After an opening academy season with Stockholm, João Mendes finally got his name called in the S25 SSL Prospect Draft. He was selected third overall by A.C. Romana and will debut in their minor league team, Inter London. During the draft process, Mendes spoke with all the top teams but didn't really have any indications on where he was going to go. Having spoken to Malino on multiple occasions and with A.C. Romana having four first-round selections, Mendes knew this could be one of those landing spots. He did not expect to go so high, however. Even though his academy season didn't go as planned, it was nice to know that his draft interviews and off-field work played a pivotal role.
His first week in London has been going about as well as you would like. He had a chance to meet the management team and go over his goals for season one. They gave him a list of attributes they would like him to focus on and improve, with Mendes being aligned in their approach. He got a chance to meet his new teammates and join the locker room. More importantly, with A.C. Romana drafting 4 prospects in this draft, Mendes wanted to get in early and start to gain chemistry with his new rookie teammates.
With Inter London already having a CDM in Doctor Wad, Mendes is looking to carve a place in the midfield early on. He will likely start on the bench, but with pre-season friendlies underway early next week, Mendes will want to get some minutes under his belt before the start of the season.
[270 words]
