“I have been living away from my family to do what I like the most which is play football.”
Sebastian Wade recently made his UEFA Youth League debut for Villarreal so let’s take a look at the dual-national prospect.
The vitals (all information obtained from the player himself)
Full name: Sebastian John Wade Gardiner
Date of birth: 09/04/03
Place of birth: Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Height: 1.9m
Position: Left-back
The defender was born in Mallorca to an English father from Southampton and a mother from South Africa. That certainly keeps his options open when it comes to international allegiances. When asked who his favourite English team was, he answered with Chelsea.
His debut in the UEFA Youth League, effectively the Champions League for under-19 sides, came last week. He played the full 90 at left-back in a 3-1 win away to Young Boys. That was his first appearance in European competition but he has made five appearances for the U19s in their domestic league this season.
He joined Villarreal in 2019, signing a three-year deal. He spent some time on loan with nearby club CD Roda last season, playing 19 times for their youth side and scoring twice.
His football career has seen him play for several of the sides near to his hometown in Mallorca before he made the move to the mainland. Starting at Sant Marçal he has also spent time with Atlético Baleares before joining the main club on the island, Real Mallorca.
During his time with Real Mallorca, he was called up to represent Selección Balear, a team made up of the best players in the Balearic Islands. He competed with the side in a tournament in France.
Now in the third year of his contract with Villarreal, Wade will be hoping to continue his breakthrough in the UYL side. If he impresses there, he could get the opportunity in the C team who play in the fifth-tier or the B team who play in the third-tier.
Sebas Wade is another dual-national the FA needs to keep an eye on.
English Players Abroad 