Tyier Welch is relishing his new journey in professional football in the Middle East.

The Bermudian defender is under contract at Dubai City Football Club, who play in the United Arab Emirates First Division.

He was scouted while on a trial in the United Kingdom in August organised by Clyde Best, the former West Ham striker, and Josef Gooden, the former Somerset Trojans defender, and eventually joined Dubai City a month later.

Since then Welch has settled in “very well” at the club and has been embraced by his new team-mates and the coaching staff with open arms.

“The club loves and appreciates me as a player and as a person,” he said. “The other players love me as well. They like my humour and how I want more from every player.

“My coach and team-mates comfort me well. They are very positive and provide feedback on how I play, train and also show that I can have fun with them and trust them as well.

“It is a very well-structured club and they are growing and getting stronger every year. The facilities are amazing.”

Pursuing his passion of becoming a professional footballer has not come without a sacrifice for the promising player.

“I did miss my friends and family but I wouldn’t say I was homesick,” Welch added. “I enjoy my life out in Dubai and love to play football six days a week.”

The experience in the UAE has been a culture shock for the player.

“It is very different to what I’ve been brought up from in Bermuda but it is a very respectful culture,” Welch said. “It took me a few months to get used to the foods, the different type of rules they have compared to the other parts of the world, and just the Arabian culture in general. But once I finally understood and respected the culture, it was way easier for me to live in.”

Dubai City FC, the first expatriate team to compete in the UAE Football Association leagues, have only been in existence since 2018.

Welch made his debut with the club’s academy team against Irish FC playing right wing back.

“Unfortunately we lost the game 2-0,” he said. “But it was still a good game from us and it saw positive play potential with the team in the game.”

The 18-year-old has already demonstrated his versatility having played as a centre back in a preseason against Fursan Hispania FC.

“I have never played centre back in my entire life until that day,” he added.

“But I settled and adapted to the situation well and had one of my best games to date.”

The Bermuda Under-20 and former PHC Zebras player says fitness and mental sharpness are essential in order to cope with the fast pace of the game at that level.

Welch has made strides since his arrival at the club where his ultimate goal is to establish himself in Dubai City’s first team.

“My goal is to get called to train or play with the first team,” he added. “I have yet to do that.”

Welch’s career began with Paget Titans’s Under-12 team before joining nearby PHC, where he continued his journey through the youth ranks.

He made his senior debut for PHC during the 2019-20 campaign and earned a call up to the Bermuda Under-20s in May.