WHEN you have a dream stuck in your head, you'll sacrifice whatever it takes to achieve it.

This is non more applicable than to Callala product Blake Horton, who has just returned to the Shoalhaven following four years of playing football professionally in Europe.

After starting to play at the age of just four, because he wanted to emulate his older brother, Horton quickly fell in love with the game and developed a natural talent as a goalkeeper.

Since then, after stops at Culburra, Bomaderry, Southern Branch, Port Kembla and Rockdale City, the former Nowra Christian School student chased his football dream overseas - which led to him playing at FC Chabab in the Hoofdklasse, SC Telstar in the Jupiler League and finally OFC Oostzaan in East Amsterdam Derde Divisie.

While abroad, largely based in the Netherlands, Horton would travel five hours a day just to train, in a country where English wasn't the first language.

But despite all this, as well as numerous injury concerns, Horton wouldn't have changed his experience overseas at all - which has led to him now playing for Coniston in the Illawarra.

Hear all about his amazing journey below, in his in-depth chat with Courtney Ward.

Luke Patten (rugby league)

Wide Ward of SportsBy Courtney WardAug 16, 2019