A Wellington-born footballer of Samoan heritage has been signed by Paris FC, opening a pathway towards professional football in France.
Aquila Peleseuma, 11, is the youngest of three siblings and the son of former Wellington rugby player Opetera Peleseuma and Stacee Peleseuma, who is of Māori and German heritage.
RNZ Pacific reported Aquila will join Paris FC’s development pathway from next year, with the club expected to officially contract him from 2029. The agreement means no other club can take him before he enters the academy pathway.
Paris FC will also cover his education costs and provide what he needs to develop academically and in football.
Aquila said the opportunity meant a lot to him.
“I feel happy about it and it means something great to me, because not all Polynesians can do what I can do at my age,” he told RNZ Pacific.
“I am also proud because I don’t know any other Samoan or Pasifika kid who’s playing soccer and in the same position.”
Aquila plays as a winger. He first picked up football while playing with friends near the family’s home in France.
His father, Opetera, moved to France for rugby in 2017 before the rest of the family joined him. The children grew up learning French as well as English while moving between towns as Opetera’s rugby career required.
The family later settled in Rouen, about 135 kilometres north-west of Paris. Opetera said a friend’s father noticed Aquila’s ability while he was playing outside and encouraged the family to get him into a club.
Opetera, who previously played for the New Zealand under-20 side, the Wellington Lions, the Hurricanes and Hutt Marist Old Boys, said football had not been a sport the family expected their children to take up.
He said the Paris FC opportunity was a door opening for Aquila, but the work ahead would be up to him.
“We’re just grateful as parents that they’ve showed the confidence in him,” he told RNZ Pacific.
Stacee said she was proud of the commitment Aquila had shown at training and through trials across France and Europe.
“It’s very well deserved, and I think it’s inspiring as a parent to see your child do something that they actually are passionate about,” she said.
The family said their focus now was supporting Aquila’s dream and helping him make the most of the opportunity.
