Youth Summer IFX Player Nicholas LaMadrid commits to Illinois College

At IFX Nürnberg, we pride ourselves for having nurtured young talents for over 20 years, guiding them toward their soccer dreams while shaping them into well-rounded individuals. Today, we delve into the remarkable journey of one of our Youth Summer IFX players, Nicholas LaMadrid, also known as Nico, who has officially committed to Illinois College where he will be taking the next steps in his soccer career.

IFX Nürnberg: Hello Nico, thanks for your time. Please introduce yourself.

Nicholas L: I am Nicholas LaMadrid, I'm 18 years old. On the field I play as a Winger. I am a senior at Lakeside High School (Atlanta), where I have played on the varsity team since my freshman year. I play for the Concorde Fire ECNL Platinum U18/19 team. I am committed to playing soccer at Illinois College and furthering my academic and athletic career.

IFX Nürnberg: You first came in the summer of 2022 for our youth summer program in Nürnberg, Germany. How was your experience during those two weeks? What were your thoughts on the overall set up and how would you define the German soccer style from your experience?

Nicholas L.: I really enjoyed my two weeks in Germany. I expected a high level of intensity and speed of play, and I got just that from playing with players from SG Quelle Furth and others at the camp. The camp was well organized and made us players feel at home. The German style of play emphasizes team cohesion and communication, which was a valuable lesson for me.

IFX Nürnberg: How has your transition been since leaving our youth summer camp in Nürnberg back in 2022 and signing with Illinois College? Can you share with us how you've prepared for this next chapter?

Nicholas L.: I left the camp with a taste of what it takes to play at the next level. It prepared me for what to expect. Since arriving back home, I've trained a lot with my team and, most importantly, my trainer. I worked a lot with him outside of practice to continue to improve. I believe this extra practice is what is going to prepare me for this next chapter.

IFX Nürnberg: Anticipating your journey at Illinois College, what are your expectations as you embark on this new phase of your soccer career?

Nicholas L.: I am very excited to play at Illinois College. This past year, they won their conference, and I am looking to help them defend their conference championship.

IFX Nürnberg: Reflecting on your time since leaving the IFX camp, how do you feel you've progressed in terms of your technique, tactical understanding, and overall adaptation to the demands of pursuing a collegiate soccer career in the US?

Nicholas L.: After my time at IFX, I put a great emphasis on mastering my technique. During my time with IFX, I learned the importance of doing the little things right. This knowledge has helped me greatly improve my game and be able to play in college.