United States youngster Josh Sargent says he has wanted to play football in Europe since he was "a little kid" as he looks set to join Werder Bremen when he turns 18 in February.
The 17-year-old -- who agreed in September to join the Bundesliga club -- had trained with several European clubs including PSV Eindhoven and FC Schalke before settling on Werder Bremen.
During a visit to his future home in Germany's north, Sargent told Bremen's club TV that he had been striving for a move to Europe ever since he started following football.
"Since I was a little kid, I wanted and come play in Europe because you can tell it's a way of life over here," he said. "People love it everywhere, and it'll determine their mood for the rest of the week."
"That's all I wanted. To be in a place where everybody breathes, eats, sleeps soccer... Football, football. Please edit that."
Bremen -- who won their first league match of the season at the weekend over Hannover -- have made a name for themselves as a club where talents make their first big step in European football.
Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne and Germany international Serge Gnabry are the two latest examples of a long line of international stars to announce themselves at the Weserstadion.
Former Brazil international Diego and Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil are two other attacking players to leave traces at the club.
"I know Wynton Rufer as a former player, and also Serge Gnabry and Kevin De Bruyne, who took great development here. I would love to take the same path they did," Sargent said.
"I am full of anticipation to make my first steps of my professional career at this great club."