"At the time he felt that his career was at risk of stagnating, but after rummaging Wikipedia to get a handle on the club and learning of their big ambitions, it felt a leap of faith worth taking. Even so, there is a detectable disbelief at how that decision led him to the Champions League and an unlikely reunion with Harry Kane, with whom he last duelled as an 18-year-old on trial at Tottenham more than 15 years ago."
"One episode from those days on Luxborough Lane in Chigwell, then Spurs's training ground, sticks in Burgess's memory. He was a sixth-form student searching for a route into the game, Kane a first-year scholar being readied for the first-team squad. I was in the changing rooms when the kit man came in and asked him: Do you want long sleeves? Under armour? Gloves?' Burgess says. Wow, that's so big time. I was missing history and maths class."
Christian Burgess joined Royale Union Saint-Gilloise nearly six years ago when his career risked stagnation and accepted the move after learning of the club's ambitions. The move led to an improbable rise that includes Champions League participation and a reunion with Harry Kane, whom he faced as a teenager. Burgess captained Union to their first Belgian title since 1935 and now prepares for a crucial match at Bayern Munich. Union train near Brussels airport, value community ties, and promote inclusivity under five pillars: integrity, commitment, courage, passion and humility. Burgess lives locally and cycles to the stadium.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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