Palajsa to join CAPERS Men's Soccer program this fall

By IAIN KING

LUKA PALAJSA is a keeper with a goal.

At the age of 18 he is driven by the dreams of being a professional soccer player, of starring for Real Madrid in a Champions League Final. Of making it. Big.

The shotstopper from the small town of Dorchester, Ontario, knows those are lofty ambitions. Yet he visualises how that would feel, recognises what it takes to even have a glimmer of a chance. That's why, when he sized up his options for Varsity soccer, he chose the CBU CAPERS Men's program.

Clad in the jersey of his beloved Dinamo Zagreb this product of a proud family with Croatian roots says: "One of the major attractions of the CAPERS program is the success rate it has in moving players into professional environments. My big goal is what I told Coach Deano in the first conversation we ever had." Luka shared that he wants to play for Real Madrid in the Champions League Final in five years' time. "Obviously, I know that's the tallest ask you could ever have. Yet if you want that in your heart then you have to start taking steps to try to make it happen. Right now, this program is the best option for me, my biggest opportunity."

That burning ambition and desire to learn and improve is music to the ears of CAPERS Head Coach Deano Morley. The double U SPORTS National title-winning coach was impressed by the calm maturity new signing Luka showed both on and off the field on his recent recruitment visit. Deano says, "Luka is a talented young goalkeeper we have been tracking for several years. We are thrilled to add him to our championship culture. He brings the elite drive, competitive mentality and ambition we value within our championship environment. He is mature beyond his years, level-headed, grounded and purposeful in his academic and athletic goals. At CBU, we are confident that our culture and development model will support and propel him toward achieving both."

The graduation of 2023 U SPORTS National title-winning number 1 Daniel Clarke left a gaping void to be filled in the CAPERS roster. Yet that is the nature of University sport, a legacy is left and others arrive to bid to live up to it. Deano insists, "As Head Coach, you dream of having two top-quality goalkeepers who can elevate each other and with Jack Harrington and Luka the CAPERS now have that. "We are excited to begin this journey with Luka and look forward to the impact he will make both on and off the field."

Luka's time in Sydney saw him train with the squad in the heated Dome at Ness Timmons Field and he reveals, "Coming there, meeting everyone, seeing the program, getting the feel of it, that really sold it for me. It felt very professional. With other programs? The impression I get is that okay, you're a student and then you're also going to play for our team."

"CBU? This is the REAL program. This is a proper football environment you are coming into and you're getting an excellent education as well," said Luka. "I wanted both but I craved that level of professionalism with my soccer, this place has that in abundance." That dedication to detail, the devotion to bringing the best out of players is a hallmark of the program Coach Morley has created since he took over the helm in 2014.

Deano was delighted with his first look at his new keeper in the CAPERS inner sanctum and he reflects, "From a technical standpoint, Luka possesses excellent size, soft hands and exceptional speed off his line. He trains with a calm, composed presence, demonstrates emotional control, bounces back quickly from mistakes and communicates effectively with his team. We believe Luka has all the tools and attributes to lead the CAPERS on the national stage and, over time, develop into a player capable of performing at the highest levels of the game."

In Coach Deano's time at the helm 26 players have earned slots in the pro ranks. In the Canadian Premier League, in major leagues across Europe, in Australia and New Zealand. Luka feels that happens for a reason and sums up his take on his new coach in one key word. Authenticity. He stresses, "From the outset I felt Coach Deano was very keen on bringing me in, on getting to know me. It felt very personal and real, the communication. He explained what he liked in the game. He shared Goalkeeper Coach Vernon O'Quinn's thoughts."

"The entire coaching staff are just true to what they say. There is clarity," states Luka. "And when we trained? I really enjoyed the intensity that everyone brings. There was no messing around, we really got to work. In my dedicated goalkeeping session with Vernon there were a few moments when he asked more of me, trying to push me a little bit further. I think that helped me a lot in the moment and it made me want more experiences like that."

Luka's soccer journey began at the age of five in Dorchester and until he was 14 years old he was a typical Canadian kid playing multi-sports, loving them all. The Beautiful Game, though, was dragging him in and he signed for travel team London Alliance. That would lead him to the elite level of FC London where he is shining this summer in League 1 Ontario ahead of arriving for pre-season in Cape Breton in August.

He reflects, "The progression has been astronomical. Three years ago I was playing almost house league, now I am in the second tier of Canadian soccer which is a lot in that short time to cope with mentally. I have a really good filter, though, I can sift out negativity. I can block out criticism and focus purely on growth, which has really helped me so far. I've always had that mental toughness. Once I realised I had it, I tweaked it a little bit, refined it and now it's one of my biggest assets I feel. A growth mindset."

Last summer the latest CAPERS capture was voted Goalkeeper of the Year in League One Ontario Championship in his breakout season. Like any true student of the game he watches the greats, attempts to take little pieces of those he looks up to into his own matches. He looks back and smiles, "It was a good season last summer and it helped get us promoted. It's a nice award to look back on. Now, though? League 1 is very good quality and it's intense, next level for me. I don't think CAPERS fans are going to see a mellow keeper but they will see one who is calm and collected."

"I watch keepers like England and Everton's Jordan Pickford, he'll scream at his defence constantly but that's not me," shares Luka. "I try to give out the kind of chill confidence that my guys need and if I had a model goalkeeper in the pro game then it would be someone like Manuel Neuer or Thibaut Courtois. If I was examining style then I'd look at Neuer, reactive saves, not too flashy, that kind of stuff. Yet I also admire Ederson at Manchester City because he's so aggressive. That's something I want to really work on. I wouldn't say I'm the most aggressive goalkeeper yet but I really want to start dominating my area. I want to be that guy."

Areas of growth, a time to learn, both in the classroom studying for his Bachelor of Science degree and on the field. With a busy summer ahead Luka knows the days will fly in. He soon will be on the island for the start of the biggest adventure of his life. He smiles, "I have my exams then we'll have our prom and graduation. Big stuff. Then I can't wait to get to Cape Breton yet I know it's going to be a big shock for me leaving home."

"I'm going to have to learn how to take care of myself but I'm so excited for the growth and I'll get through that. Learning to cook, that's going to be a major challenge. Having food ready is going to be the biggest thing!"