Global football pathways

YOUR SPORT.YOUR FUTURE.your pathway.

Helping footballers from anywhere prepare for study, competition and life in the USA and Europe.

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ASSESS · DEVELOP · CONNECTEST. 2026

01 / Why Preferred Pathway

Why Preferred Pathway?

A boutique, data-led global football advisory for players aiming at European football and U.S. college soccer.

1

Global football.Scholarship opportunities.

Preferred Pathway gives athletes access to both European football and U.S. college pathways, connecting them with clubs, academies and colleges and opportunities for scholarships of up to 100%.

NCAA D-I, D-II, D-III · NAIA · NJCAA · European clubs and academies

2

Data-led pathwayto the right scholarship.

We assess each athlete's football ability, development needs and academic profile, then build a personalised plan designed to position them for the right football and scholarship opportunities.

Performance testing · Match video analysis · NCAA eligibility review

3

Global team.First-hand experience.

With leadership on the ground in Spain, Denmark, London, New York and Australia, and professional and semi-professional football experience, we understand what it takes to progress at a high level.

Professional · Semi-professional · NCAA Division I · International

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02 / What we do

Five connected areas. One clear route.
01 / 0501

What we do

Assess the whole player

Start with evidence, not assumptions.

We review football level, physical readiness, academics, mindset, finances and long-term goals. The result is an honest starting point and a route built around the player.

Football reviewAcademic profileFamily goals
02 / 0502

What we do

Develop with specialists

Build what the next level demands.

Where development is needed, we coordinate with certified specialists across strength, conditioning, nutrition, speed, technical analysis and mental performance.

Performance planSpecialist supportProgress checks
03 / 0503

What we do

Build the academic route

Sport and study move together.

We help shape the player profile, research suitable institutions and programmes, clarify scholarship and eligibility requirements, and organise the application timeline.

Programme researchProfile preparationApplication planning
04 / 0504

What we do

Train with clubs, place in academies

Not every route runs through a university.

Alongside the university routes we arrange training with clubs and place players into academy environments, so a player can keep developing in a competitive setting while the education plan stays in place.

Club trainingAcademy placementTrial preparation
05 / 0505

What we do

Prepare the move abroad

An offer is only one part of the journey.

From visa-document preparation and pre-departure planning to travel, housing and settling in, we help families understand what comes next and stay available after arrival.

Visa preparationPre-departureOngoing check-ins

A coordinated support network

Development is specific.Support should be too.

When a player needs specialist input, we work alongside appropriately qualified professionals. Preferred Pathway coordinates the journey; specialists deliver within their own field.

01

Strength & conditioning

Structured physical preparation built around the demands of the modern game.

02

Nutrition

Practical performance nutrition through qualified specialists.

03

Speed development

Movement, acceleration and repeatable speed work.

04

Football analysis

Technical and tactical review of the player's game, with clear development points.

05

Performance testing

Measurable goals, testing and progress checkpoints.

06

Mental performance

Confidence, focus and non-clinical performance habits.

03 / The pathway

From first assessment
to life abroad.

01/ 06
01

Assess

Football level, physical readiness, academics, budget and ambition.

02

Develop

A focused plan with the right performance specialists where needed.

03

Prepare

A clear player profile, academic record and application timeline.

04

Explore

Suitable study-and-football programmes across the USA and Europe.

05

Apply

Applications, eligibility, scholarship information and visa preparation.

06

Advance

Pre-departure planning, arrival support and continued mentorship.

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04 / Our team

The people behind the route.

One team, working wherever a player's route leads. Between us we bring professional football, European club environments, U.S. college sport and international competition, so every player is advised by someone who knows that ground first-hand.

Navneet

Founder & CEO

Founder & CEO

Navneet

Navneet founded Preferred Pathway and leads the company. He sets its direction and holds every route to the same standard: honest advice before a player or family commits.

Aveka Singh

Director

Director

Aveka Singh

The first Indian woman to play NCAA Division I football, for the University of California, Irvine. India international experience and a club career in Denmark. She helps players and families understand the practical reality of moving abroad.

Anuj Kumar

Asia Head

Asia Head

Anuj Kumar

India U-17 SAFF Cup winner and professional goalkeeper. FC Pune City, Hyderabad FC, Indian Arrows, Real Kashmir, Aizawl FC and Odisha FC.

Anshul Malik

Europe Head

Europe Head

Anshul Malik

Modern School alumnus. Three years with Sudeva FC before moving to Spain, through C.D. Olímpic de Xàtiva, Racing de Algemesí and Gandia CF. Currently trialling with Torrent CF.

Kambinachi Obioha

U.S. Head

U.S. Head

Kambinachi Obioha

A sprinter for Columbia University track and field. Kambinachi knows first-hand what it takes to compete for a university team inside a demanding U.S. academic environment.

Laila El Behery

Africa Head

Africa Head

Laila El Behery

Egypt international. Sixty NCAA Division I appearances for UC Irvine, then the first Egyptian woman to play in Denmark's top league with FC Nordsjælland.

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“We help footballers get where they want to go.”

05 / Where our players are now

Success stories.

Six routes combining high-level sport with demanding academic goals across the United States and United Kingdom. No two routes looked the same: position, academic record, playing level and timing all shaped the outcome.

NCAA full scholarship

Soccer & track and field

First Indian athlete to be recruited to the USA on a full NCAA scholarship worth ₹4 crore for soccer and track & field.

₹4 crore full scholarship mark
Achievement
₹4 crore full scholarship
Location
United States
Competition
NCAA soccer + track and field

Yusuf Mohammad

Recruited footballer

Yusuf was recruited to continue his football and education at Loughborough University. His route reflects the balance we look for: a suitable playing opportunity supported by a clear academic plan.

View Loughborough football
Loughborough University mark
University
Loughborough University
Location
Loughborough, England
Competition
University performance football

Grayson Benson

Goalkeeper

Grayson continues his football in goal for Haverford, competing for a place in a strong squad while studying at one of the most selective liberal arts colleges in the country.

View roster profile
Haverford College mark
College
Haverford College
Location
Haverford, Pennsylvania
Competition
Centennial Conference

Vaibhav Thikkavarapu

Defender, junior

In 2025 Vaibhav started ten of his eleven appearances at the back for Hendrix, scored once, added two assists and made the conference academic honour roll.

View roster profile
Hendrix College mark
College
Hendrix College
Location
Conway, Arkansas
Competition
Southern Athletic Association

Sasha Bejarano

Sophomore

Sasha came through Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School in New York City and now plays for Colby in the NESCAC, a conference known as much for its academics as its football.

View roster profile
Colby College mark
College
Colby College
Location
Waterville, Maine
Competition
NESCAC

Ishaan Saini

Right back, first year

Ishaan moved from Austin, Texas, into NCAA Division III men's soccer at Oberlin, where he is starting his college career at right back.

View roster profile
Oberlin College mark
College
Oberlin College
Location
Oberlin, Ohio
Competition
North Coast Athletic Conference

Admission, squad and funding decisions are always made by the institution. Every player's route is different.

Our focus

FOOTBALLFOOTBALL

We specialise exclusively in football, so the assessment, profile and route stay specific to the modern game.

Questions families ask

Clear answers before the first conversation.

01Is Preferred Pathway only for football?

Yes. We work exclusively with footballers, and every assessment, profile and shortlist is built around the game.

02Do football and academics carry equal weight?

They are assessed together. A strong pathway must work in the classroom, in competition, financially and in day-to-day life.

03Which destinations do you cover?

Our focus is football opportunities linked to universities in the USA, Europe and the UK.

04What practical support is included?

Depending on the pathway: assessment, development coordination, profile preparation, programme research, application planning, scholarship and eligibility information, visa-document preparation, pre-departure planning and post-arrival check-ins.

05Do you guarantee an offer or scholarship?

No. Institutions make their own admission, team and funding decisions. We prepare the player and help the family follow a clear, realistic process.

Start with an assessment

YOUR NEXT
MOVE STARTS
WITH A TALK.

Tell us about the player's football, academics, current level and goals. We will help you understand whether there is a realistic pathway forward.

Register your interest