Caden Tanti is living his dream. A talented footballer with high aspirations of making it at the highest level, Caden earlier this month signed a professional contract with Serie A club Genoa CFC following his move from Maltese club St Andrews. In pursuing his ambition of playing professional football, Caden, 16, has had to leave his family as he steps out of the comfort zone but he is determined to succeed, describing his experience in Italy as very rewarding so far. We recently spoke to Caden…

How would you describe your experience with Genoa’s youth team so far?

My experience with Genoa’s youth team has been incredibly rewarding. The coaching staff and my team-mates have been very supportive, helping me adapt to the new environment and playing style. Although I don’t speak Italian well, they have helped me a lot to communicate, and day by day, I’m understanding the language more and more. The training sessions are very intense and focused, which helps a lot in my development as a player.

What motivated you to continue your football career overseas?

The opportunity to challenge myself and grow as a player motivated me to continue my career overseas. I’ve wanted to play at a high level overseas from a very young age. 

Playing in a competitive league like Serie A offers invaluable experience and exposure which I believe is essential for my development and to achieve my long-term goals. I played two games (for Genoa youths) while representing the U16 national team against Cyprus (in the first two weeks of February) where I scored in between both Sundays when I had my first two games with Genoa.

What are the main challenges you’ve faced in the early weeks of your experience in Italy, and how is the club helping you to settle?

One of the main challenges has been adjusting to a new culture and being away from my family but the club have played a big part in helping me to settle in. 

They’ve provided language lessons three times a week, arranged accommodation, took care of my flights and ensured I have everything I need to feel comfortable. Another challenge was adjusting to the pace of the game which I caught up with fast as I had come on trial before. My team-mates have also been welcoming, making this move smoother. 

What is your typical day like?

A typical day starts with waking up around 8am and having a healthy breakfast, before I do some studying for my upcoming exams. Then I would have an Italian private lesson between 10 and 11am. After that, I would continue studying until lunch which is normally at 12:30pm, and thereafter start preparing for training where they pick us up from the hotel at 2pm and our training session begins at 3pm. The sessions vary, depending on the day. Training lasts from two to two-and-a-half hours. After heading back to the hotel,  I would have a private lesson depending on the day. At 8pm I’d have dinner and evenings are usually reserved for rest.

Looking back, how important was the training and guidance you received from coaches both at club level and also with the national youth teams?

The training and guidance I received at Luxol (St Andrews Football Club) was very important for me as I believed they helped me arrive where I am now. I was lucky to start at a young age with one of the best if not the best youth football nursery in Malta and I’m glad I began my football journey there. The coaching staff were amazing and over the years I felt like I was becoming a better player, and the experiences with the Maltese national youth teams have been fundamental to my development. The national team helped a lot in understanding the level in other countries, as we would play international games, all of which have prepared me for the challenges of playing abroad.

What are your immediate objectives as well as your lifetime ambitions?

In the short term, I aim to establish myself with Genoa’s youth team, continue improving my skills, and then hopefully earn opportunities to play at higher levels. My lifetime ambition is to play at a high level and to keep enjoying the sport as I love playing football, hoping to inspire young Maltese players to pursue their dreams and showing that with dedication and hard work, anything is possible.