Goalkeeper David Martin has signed his first professional contract with Portuguese side Moimenta da Beira.

A member of Bermuda’s under-20 national team, Martin signed for the club at the weekend and is happy to be taking the first steps in what he hopes will be a long professional career.

“It feels really good to reach this milestone in my career,” an elated Martin told The Royal Gazette.

“Even though I’m only 17, I have been playing soccer since I was four years old and look at this as another chapter in my journey.

“The expectations are all on me now. It’s one thing to get an opportunity, but at the end of the day it’s on me on how I perform.”

The player joined the club without having to take part in a trial after the Moimenta da Beira coaching staff were impressed after watching video footage of him in action.

He arrived at the club last Friday and attended his first training session with his new club on Monday as he awaits a visa and undergoes a medical exam before being declared fit to play.

“It’s definitely different from the traditional way,” Martin said. “But I’m excited about my journey and looking forward to the future.

“Today [Monday] is my first day of training and the transition has been good so far.

“There is a language barrier so I have to get used to it, but will be taking classes to learn as well.

Martins joins with his new club second from bottom in the AF Viseu Divisão de Honra, the top league within their region, having taken only six points from their 17 matches to date. They have lost their last three games, including a 2-0 defeat at home to third-place Lamelass at the weekend.

“The standard of football is very high and I watched my team play on Saturday,” Martin said.

Martin was recommended to the club by Tony Robinson, who heads up England-based football consultancy company, Galacticos Soccer Services, which has close ties with former Bermuda defender Dennis Brown.

“It’s good to see David progress and I have known him since he was five,” Brown said.

“When I first met him he was a striker and then he became a goalkeeper and as the years went by he progressed to where he is today.

“Technically he is very sound and an excellent goalkeeper. I have seen him make tremendous progress over the years so this is a good fit for him.

“He is very good with his feet, an excellent communicator and we are expecting big things from David moving forward in Portugal, which is one of the best breeding rounds for young talent in the world. I am looking forward to his progress.”

Moimenta de Beira is the second professional club Martin has been involved with after spending time at the academy of Major League Soccer side DC United.

The talented player, who also holds United States and British citizenship, was called up to the national under-20 squad at the age 16 for the Concacaf Qualifiers last year.

Cecoy Robinson, the Bermuda under-20 coach, is thrilled to see Martin reap the reward for his hard work ethic and commitment.

“I’m excited for David and this is just a testament to his hard work and dedication,” he said. “He has always shown commitment in training and games, but what’s been important is him being very humble to put his head down and continue to work.

“I wish David all the best and will be keeping an eye on him to see how he progresses.”

Martin was also selected for the United States under-17 team for the 2023 Capelli Sport Cup in Denmark.

He was selected to the United States Youth National Team Identification Programme in 2022 and made the Elite Clubs National League Mid-Atlantic All-Conference 1st Team the following year.

The teenager is enrolled at Northern High School in Maryland but will now complete his final year of studies online.