Words: Garry McKenzie

Lochlan Reus will farewell Palm Beach SC after next week’s Westfield FFA Cup tie against South Melbourne, it has been confirmed.

The 20-year central midfielder old is moving to the United States to join the football program at Illinois’ Lewis & Clarke College.

While studying Property Development, Reus will pursue a dream of one-day stepping up to America’s top flight Major League Soccer competition.

This is the latest personal challenge for Reus, who was vice-captain of the Australian Schoolboys team which toured the United Kingdom and Brazil, and previously courted by a quartet of Hyundai A-League clubs.

“I feel as though I need to keep pushing myself to reach new goals,” Reus said.

“I often get into my comfort zone and relax which takes its toll on how well I play out on the field.”

Such a desire to be challenged saw Reus leave Queensland in 2013 to test himself with former National Soccer League clubs Marconi and South Coast Wolves in PlayStation 4 NPL New South Wales Mens 1.

During this time he received one-on-one coaching from former Socceroo Jason Culina.

“We would not finish a training session until we had completed the goal set for the session even if that meant training for an extra 30 to 45 minutes longer than expected,” Reus said.

The extra workload paid off when Reus received invitations to trial at four Hyundai A-League clubs, only for injury to intervene.

Undeterred, Reus returned to his junior club Palm Beach at the start of this season to find the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland competition had improved the quality of Queensland football in his absence.

Reus has played 13 games so far this season in a formidable midfield partnership with Sharks captain Justyn McKay.

Reus praised coach Grae Piddick and the team for having a positive impact on his play during his time at Palm Beach.

“Playing with such a great bunch of guys has helped me play with a level of confidence I haven't had in the past,” Reus said.

“Leaving Palm Beach for now will also open up an opportunity for another player to experience playing first team at Palm Beach and enjoy their time there as I did,” he concluded.

Reus will play his last match at Mallawa Complex this weekend against SWQ Thunder, before playing his final match in the Westfield FFA Cup against South Melbourne on Wednesday week.

Fixture details:

PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland
Palm Beach SC v SWQ Thunder FC
Mallawa Complex, Gold Coast
Saturday, 25 July
Kick-off - 5:00PM

Westfield FFA Cup
Palm Beach SC v South Melbourne FC
Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Wednesday, 29 July
Kick-off - 7:30PM