SWANSEA CITY v WEST BROMWICH ALBION http://www.swanseacity.com
T
he Premier League is the
dream for millions of
footballers across the world
and Marco Dulca is no
exception.
The Romanian midfielder joined
Swansea City’s academy from local
side University Cluj following a
successful pre-season trial two
years ago.
Dulca progressed with the under-
18s to earn his first professional
contract and a chance with the
development squad this season.
But the teenager admits his journey
has not all been plain-sailing.
“My first year here was really hard,”
he says. “The move from Romania
was a big change in my life.
“Everything was different, from the
food to the language and style of
football.
“I had to settle quickly. I did not
know much English when I first
came here – I only used to do one
or two hours a week in school – so
I was learning off the pitch as well
as on it.
“Playing for the academy has
helped me improve a lot. I feel I
have now settled into life here in
Wales and want to push on this
season.”
At the time of writing, Dulca has
played three games for the under-
23s this campaign. He has twice
faced Manchester United, and also
lined up against Newcastle United
in the Premier League Cup.
If the 18-year-old continues his
progression up the ranks, he could
be the first Romanian to play for the
Swans’ first team.It is a target Dulca is eager to meet.
His ambition is to add his name to
the list of 13 Romanian players who
have graced the Premier League
during its 25-year history.
“I am proud to be the first
Romanian at Swansea City,” he
smiles. “I hope I can continue to
progress and one day be the first
from my country to play for the first
team.“Only a small number of Romanian
players have ever played in the
Premier League throughout history.
To be a part of it in a small way is a
big thing for me.
“In Romania, the players who make
it and play in the Premier League
are legendary. Players like Dan
Petrescu, Vlad Chiricheșand
Gabriel Tamașare big names.
“There is still a long way for me to
go, but it would be great to follow
in their footsteps.”
To many, Dulca might not register
as a recognisable football name.
But for fans in his homeland, the
name Cristian Dulca will trigger
memories of Romania’s World Cupsquad in 1998.
Cristian’s son Marco was born the
following year.
Dulca Jr watched action from that
World Cup on VHS cassettes.
Now he is keen to step out of his
father’s shadow and make his own
name in football.
“It was only when I got to the age
of 10 or 11 that I realised what he
had done in his career and that he
had been to a World Cup,” he
recalls.
“I would watch his games back on
video and it would bring it to life for
me. There were 60,000 people at
those games.
“He also played for Rapid Bucharest- it must have been an amazing
experience for him. I talk with him
every day and he gives me good
advice.
“He went to play in South Korea’s
K-League also. That is where I was
born – I don’t remember anything
from my time there, only what I saw
in photos and videos from when I
was younger.
“Because of my father’s name, there
is a bit of pressure on me in
Romania. Everyone is keen to see
what I will do in my career, how far
I can go.
“It is understandable and I like that
kind of pressure. People are waiting
to see if I can follow in my dad’s
footsteps and play for big teams or
go to a World Cup.”
Dulca’s international journey has
already begun, for he has been
capped at under-21 level on six
occasions.
The most recent flurry of
MARCO DULCA TALKS ABOUT JOINING SWANSEA CITY’S ACADEMY, THE PRESSURE OF FOLLOWING IN
HIS FATHER’S FOOTSTEPS AND DREAMS OF PLAYING PREMIER LEAGUE FOOTBALL.
BY JAMES SNAITHI HOPE I CAN
CONTINUE TO
PROGRESS AND ONE
DAY BE THE FIRST
FROM MY COUNTRY
TO PLAY FOR THE
FIRST TEAM.INTRODUCING THE SWANS’