Personal Statement
My name is Markos Panoutsos and I am a dedicated soccer player from London, UK, with a strong passion for the game. Joining a collegiate soccer program would allow me to continue developing both an athlete and as a person. During my youth football, I have won three trophies, whilst attending Christ's Hospital School, West Sussex, a strong academic private boarding school on 100% bursary. In other words, from a young age I have managed to successfully balance academic needs with the energy and commitment that soccer training and competition demands.
Currently, I am studying for three A-Levels (Business; Economics; Media) and I would be available from the summer of 2025 onwards, In terms of academics, I am keen to continue studying Business at university level as it is something I am truly passionate about, whilst I continue to improve my soccer within a competitive soccer program.
Over the years I have supplemented my soccer education with off-season summer camps in the UK (Tottenham; Liverpool), in Europe (Vienna, Austria (Rapid Vienna); Amsterdam, The Netherlands (Ajax) and the US (Blue Camp - Georgetown University ID Camp 2023). I have been playing soccer for 11 years, and over that time, I’ve developed a well-rounded understanding of the game by playing different positions on the pitch, including second striker, left-wing, all the positions in midfield, right back and left back. My technical ability on the ball, my range of passing, my stamina and my man-marking are some of my strengths. As a CDM/CM, I thrive on controlling the tempo of the game, starting attacks from the defence, whilst stifling opposition space man-marking and intercepting. I have competed in the Camden & Islington Youth League, Camden Youth League, Saywell International Youth League, and I currently compete in the National League Alliance U19 for Dorking Wanderers.
Off the field, I am committed to maintaining strong academic performance. I believe that discipline in the classroom translates to success in athletics, and I consistently strive to balance both academic and athletic responsibilities. I am excited about the opportunity to pursue a challenging academic curriculum alongside my soccer career, and I am dedicated to contributing to both areas with the same level of commitment and determination.
My goal as a collegiate athlete is to continuously improve, be a positive leader for my teammates, and help the program achieve its objectives. I am looking for a program where I can challenge myself, grow as a player, and contribute to a team culture that values hard work, perseverance, and mutual support.
Thank you for considering my application. I would be honoured to have the opportunity to contribute to your team and help achieve success both on and off the field. I look forward to the possibility of joining a collegiate soccer program and am excited to see where my journey in the sport can take me.
Sincerely,
Markos Panoutsos
