Samuel Vermeeren
Operations & International Player Pathways
Athlete and sports executive combining direct football experience with programme operations, international scouting logistics and modern pathway delivery.
Experience that strengthens the network.
Athlete and sports operations lead connecting player experience with practical programme delivery, scouting logistics, international relationships and modern pathway systems.
Core expertise
- Football operations
- International player pathways
- Scouting logistics
- Athlete experience
- Programme delivery
- Data led player management
- Combat sport performance mindset
What Samuel brings to NEXTGEN
- Turns NEXTGEN strategy into practical programmes, scouting missions and player processes.
- Brings the perspective of someone who has personally lived athlete development in football and combat sport.
- Supports data, logistics and communication systems across international player pathways.
- Helps keep the Foundation operationally modern while remaining connected to real player experience.
Football background
Combines direct playing experience with youth development and operations work.
- Dutch central defender with experience in European semi professional and professional environments, including Europa Point FC in Gibraltar.
- Has worked in training and youth development settings in southern Spain, including Marbella United FC and activity connected to AC Milan youth camps.
- International education background includes Lycée Français de Málaga and study at the University of Miami.
MMA & combat sport experience
Has also competed in regional mixed martial arts, adding a second high performance sport perspective.
- Competes around the welterweight division.
- Training and competition experience adds practical understanding of discipline, preparation, pressure and individual accountability.
NEXTGEN operational development
Acts as a day to day execution lead translating the Foundation’s strategic vision into scouting, logistics and player systems.
- Organises and coordinates scouting activity, trials and athlete testing structures across African partner markets.
- Supports modern player tracking, welfare processes and European pathway coordination.
- Bridges operational work between academies, players, scouts, clubs and the Foundation’s international network.
Public contact & social links
Advisors provide expertise and introductions but do not have decision making authority. Unless appointed in writing to another role, they are not trustees, employees, football agents or representatives authorised to bind NEXTGEN.