Real Madrid Foundation Clinic Sends Seattle United Player to Spain

August, 2018

SEATTLE, WA— Generation Adidas International, in conjunction with Seattle United, conducted its third annual Real Madrid Foundation Clinic in Seattle, Washington on August 13 through August 17, 2018. This program offered an opportunity to be coached by three youth academy coaches from one of the world’s greatest professional soccer clubs, Real Madrid.

Seattle United B06 Copa’s very own Hayato Nagai was selected for a once in a lifetime trip to Spain by this year’s Real Madrid Foundation Clinic coaches Carlos Albert, Carlos Cruz, and Miguel Angel. Hayoto will be a part of the inaugural Real Madrid Foundation All-Star team invited to attend a 5-day training experience at Real Madrid Sports City in January 2019 with the rest of the nominees.

During his time in Madrid, Hayoto will have the opportunity to train on the Madrid Training Grounds and attend tactical lectures lead by Real Madrid Academy coaches, scrimmage against a Real Madrid academy team, experience a Liga match game, tour Estadio Santiago Bernabeau, and take in all the cultural sight-seeing that Madrid has to offer.

This All-Star roster is made up of one player from each of the 18 United States cities where the Real Madrid Foundation Clinics took place this summer—each selection was made by the Real Madrid coaches based on both level of play and sportsmanship values.

“The selection criteria are purely focused on the attitudinal values that the girls/boys have shown during the week and that are aligned according to the criteria of the Real Madrid Foundation,” said Carlos Albert, the Head Coach at the Real Madrid Foundation, “Children who exemplify companionship, motivation, respect, autonomy, equality, self-esteem and health are chosen for the All-Star roster. The Real Madrid Foundation wants to promote young athletes who regularly put those positive qualities into practice, as those are the qualities that best promote sports for health and for living together for the rest of their lives.”

The award was presented to Hayato upon completion of the clinic during the closing ceremony. After all of the players were given their individual diplomas, Hayato was called in front of the group where he received a trophy and was recognized for his hard work.

“I’m happy for Hayato winning this award, and it shows the kind of commitment and effort he puts into his game both when he’s with the team and during his spare time,” said Liviu Bird, Hayato’s coach at Seattle United, “He’s always working hard to improve as a player, and he takes every opportunity to play seriously.”

This is the first year that the Real Madrid Foundation Clinic has offered this All-Star Program, and we are proud that Hayato was selected to represent Seattle United abroad.

(State Champions 2018)