‘Natural-born goal scorer’ commits to Capers

Nikolai Scheurenbrand expected to make immediate impact

'Natural-born goal scorer' commits to Capers

By Corey LeBlanc

Nikolai Scheurenbrand has never been to Canada, but that is going to change later this year.

The accomplished soccer player will arrive in Sydney – the Cape Breton University (CBU) campus, specifically – in late August for his first training camp with the Caper men's varsity program.

"I know that Cape Breton is a beautiful island with incredible scenery," he says in a recent email interview, quipping that he has been told temperatures are a "bit lower" than he is used to in his native Germany.

Scheurenbrand notes that he is looking forward to starting "a new chapter in my life and the opportunity to be a Caper.

He adds, "I am sure we can achieve much as a team and have a great time together."

Growing up in Nebringen – a village of approximately 5,000 residents located approximately 45 minutes southwest of Stuttgart – Scheurenbrand took the pitch for the first time as a five-year-old.

"My whole family is very closely connected to soccer, so I grew up with it – more or less automatically – and found my passion early," he informs.

After playing with his hometown club for a few years, Scheurenbrand moved to a "slightly better" one when he was 13-years-old.

"After two years there, I was able to take the next step in my career and moved to a youth team of the Stuttgarter Kickers, which played in the second German league for a long time," he says.

He used a strong season with the Kickers as a springboard to the highest youth league for his age group in Germany, where he played for SC Freiburg – a Bundesliga club.

"I got injured in my second year there and moved back home," Scheurenbrand notes.

Then came one year on the pitch with some friends, one interrupted by the COVID-19 global pandemic.

This season, Scheurenbrand plays in the German Football League's fourth amateur division with SG Empfingen.

"My finishing strength is what distinguishes me the most," the 21-year-old forward offers, when asked about his skill set.

He adds, "I am also fast and make good runs into the opponent's half."

Scheurenbrand notes that he is "getting better" as a wall player, which he attributes to going up against "physically strong and much older defenders."

CBU head coach Deano Morley glowingly describes his newest recruit as a "natural born goal scorer."

"Nikolai is big, strong and has a great change of pace," he says.

Noting his ability to "hold the ball," Morley praises Scheurenbrand as a "great technician."

He adds that the dynamic offensive weapon has a high level of "maturity" and "great experience," which will also be keys to his success.

"Nikolai has a tremendous pedigree and an incredible hunger to improve," Morley says.

Scheurenbrand was asked about how he thinks the style in the AUS will differ from what he is used to playing.

"I think it's quite difficult to estimate how much soccer in Canada differs from European soccer. One big difference will definitely be that I won't be 10 years younger than some of my teammates; everyone will be about the same age," he says.

As for what appealed to him, when it came to joining the Capers, he "liked the mix of everything," including the size, location and "great academics" offered at CBU.

"And, of course, the excellent soccer program," Scheurenbrand adds.

He also notes how quickly he established a "good relationship" with his soon-to-be head coach.

"I had a great feeling right from the start."

Morley explains that the Caper men's program continues its focus on creating a "higher standard" – not only in the AUS, but also U SPORTS soccer.

"We are always driving to continue to be better, and signing Nikolai exemplifies that," he says.

Scheurenbrand will be coupling varsity athletics with studies in the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program at CBU's Shannon School of Business.

"Nikolai has big aspirations," Morley notes.

When it comes to career goals, his first priority is to pursue any possible opportunities available in the professional soccer ranks.

"We will see what happens," Scheurenbrand says.

Morley offers that he will make a "huge impact" on the U SPORTS soccer landscape.

"And, it will happen immediately."

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