At the end of the 2020/21 season, Maximus Rigby was released from Leeds United’s Academy. Max had been at the Yorkshire club since the age of nine and was hoping to seal a professional deal at the conclusion of his scholarship. However, due to the Coronavirus pandemic and other circumstances, his dream was cut short.

For many young footballers, being let go can feel like the end of the world. Yet, for Max, he saw it as an opportunity to explore a different avenue.

After receiving offers from various EFL Clubs, the 19-year-old was presented with the chance to head state side in the shape of a US Soccer Scholarship through FirstPoint USA, and after weighing up his options, the midfielder made the decision to cross the Atlantic and open a new chapter.

LFE spoke to Max to find out how he was getting on over in the US.

Where are you studying in the US, and how long have you been there?

“I’m in my sophomore year; I’ve just finished my second fall. I’m in Pennsylvania, studying at St. Francis university - it’s a private catholic school about an hour east of Pittsburgh. I’m currently planning on majoring in Business Marketing, I’m pretty sure that’s what I want to do. I love social media, business, marketing - it’s a big part of what my family does. So, I’m sure I’ll pursue that.”

What’s your experience of the US been so far?

“To summarise, my experience so far has been life changing. I know you hear all the stuff of people saying university are the best years of your life, but it genuinely has been such an eye opener. All my life, since I started at Leeds United at the age of nine, I had tunnel vision. For those nine years, it was football, football, football. Especially when you get to the scholarship years and you’re trying to get a professional deal, you’re not thinking about anything else other than getting that contract and then I wasn’t able to get one for whatever reason. Then, when you go to the US, you have education, you have football and you have a social aspect and it’s just like ‘wow’, there is so much more to life out there. Don’t get me wrong it’s been so difficult to get used to; new country, new people, the schedule is just mental. But other than that, it’s just been amazing. It’s something that I would recommend.”

Sometimes there is a reluctance from apprentices to look into the US route, mainly because of the academic responsibilities. What would you say to someone whose thinking of choosing the US route?

“I was the only lad in my year group to go (to the US) and the reaction I got from the other lads was: ‘oh my, I couldn’t do the schoolwork’ and it is a lot of work, but for me, the way I was brought up, I’ve always looked at education as being a massive back up. You know how the football industry works, you could get an injury and one minute you could be in and one minute you could be out. So, education, regardless of how much work there is, it’s just part of life and you should invest in it because it could provide you with a job. Not only that, as much as I had no idea what I was walking into, if you can get through the first tough semester and adapt to the change, it’s great.”

Has there been anything that has took you by surprise since moving?

“Well, all my life I’ve lived at home, so to make the change was tough. I’m surprised I even did it myself, but there was something inside of me that told me it was a good thing to do. It’s like starting your life over again. I went into my dorm room and there was nothing there being an international, not even any bedsheets, no nothing! You don’t know anyone, you don’t know the campus, so I think that in itself was the hardest part. If you’re not mentally strong enough to get through that first stage, then it would be difficult. I was thinking at first ‘oh my goodness is this really what I want to do? It was really overwhelming but once you get past that stage, everything opens up and it’s like ‘wow’, the benefits completely override leaving home.”

You’ve just completed your rookie year and you made the Northeast Conference Rookie Team of the Year. How would you compare US College Football with the UK Academy system?

“It’s very different, in ways that are difficult to describe. There is a lot of good players out here for sure. In the NEC [Northeast Conference] right now, there are so many international guys with high-level backgrounds - really good level players. But one thing that’s different is the style. Football is competitive everywhere, but, in the conference, we have eight games and it’s super competitive and that really effects the style. One goal is almost it, it’s really down to the neck. It’s tough, it takes time to get used to, certainly getting into a new team.”

How did your experience at Leeds United help prepare you for what you’re doing now?

“I was at Leeds for eight or nine years, so when you’re at a place for so long, it really does mould you into who you are. I think a lot of my discipline and organisation comes from my time there. Everyday you’ve got to be on time, you’ve got to be professional, and you don’t give up. Here, I’ve had to get used to a new environment, new teachers, new coaches, everything is so dynamic. So, I think the disciplinary aspect of it all [at Leeds] really helped me. The academy at Leeds, it’s definitely been a big part of my life, for sure.”

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about going to the US?

“I would just say ride the first few weeks basically. I’ll be honest, they’re rough, but just give it a try. I feel like if I never took the chance, I’d sit there thinking that I missed out on a big part of what life has to offer. I feel like in England especially, there is such a rush to become a professional footballer, but as you can see, there are so many examples of guys who are over 25, 26 still making it to the World Cup. So, I think coming to the US, it provides education, gives you a social life, which I never had being an academy player, and you still get to play football at an extremely high level. So, if you’re unsure, try it anyway. You can leave whenever you want really, so you would be stupid not to try it.”

Maximus Rigby: From Yorkshire to the US

Maximus Rigby: From Yorkshire to the US