How teenage keeper's van trip around Europe ended with new club
September 7, 2026 06:56
Eighteen-year-old goalkeeper Milo Beimers left Glentoran, where he had been since age 13, and set off from Belfast in a converted van with his father Kevin on a roughly 2,000-mile journey across Europe seeking a new club. After trials in Spain (including Hercules) and a stint back in London, a call brought him to Italy and, a month after he began his travels, he signed for Serie D side Viterbese.
Beimers has already featured for his new team, keeping a clean sheet on his debut in a 4-0 victory over Anagni. He says the unconventional trip — living in the van and trying out at several clubs — taught him a lot and ultimately led to the contract.
KEY CONTEXT
- Viterbese play in a medieval city about an hour from Rome and were relegated to Serie D last season (Serie D is the fourth tier of Italian football).
- For the new campaign the club have merged with another outfit under the name Vigor Campagnano Gialloblu, though Viterbese remains central to the identity.
- Beimers is a Canada youth international.
WHY IT MATTERS
Signing for Viterbese gives Beimers a senior platform in Italian football and an immediate competitive target: he has expressed a desire to establish himself as first-choice goalkeeper and to help the club return to Serie C. The move also exposes him to a club with established facilities — including a 7,000-seat stadium — and could lead to higher-profile cup ties; the club’s presence in Italian competitions means they could face top-tier opposition in the Coppa Italia if drawn.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Whether Beimers secures the regular starting role he aims for and how he performs across the Serie D season.
- Viterbese’s promotion push and how the recent merger under Vigor Campagnano Gialloblu affects the squad and club operations.
- Potential cup draws that could pit Viterbese against Serie A teams, which would present higher-profile tests for Beimers and the club.
KEY FACTS
- Beimers left Glentoran after coming through there from age 13.
- He travelled with his dad Kevin in a converted Transit van on a planned ~2,000-mile trip across Europe for trials.
- Trials included a stint with Hercules in Spain; he later returned to London before being called to Italy.
- He signed for Viterbese (Serie D) after about 30 days on the road.
- Debut: kept a clean sheet in a 4-0 win over Anagni.
- Viterbese have merged under the Vigor Campagnano Gialloblu banner and play in a 7,000-seat stadium.