Darwin Samuel Gonzalez Turbay (source: Peter Cingel)
Footballers from South America are not unusual in eastern Slovakia’s 4th football league; in fact, it is difficult to find a team without one on the roster. Partizán Bardejov has several, with the longest-serving being 22-year-old Venezuelan midfielder Darwin Samuel González Turbay, Sportnet reports.
González arrived in Slovakia in February 2024 and quickly secured a place in the starting line-up.
“I started playing football at the age of 10 in the town of Sanarena at the Andrés Eloy Blanco football school. Then I moved to the capital, where I played for a team called Catia F.C. and spent two years in lower competitions. After that, I returned home and played in the third league,” he told Sportnet about his football beginnings.
Since González — who goes by the shortened form Darwin González — wanted to experience playing abroad, he set his sights on Europe. With the support of his agency and family, he found his way to Bardejov and began pursuing his dream.
“Many excellent footballers have played in Slovakia in the past and still do. The clubs compete in European leagues, and the national team takes part in top international events. I saw this as an opportunity to develop my career,” he explained.
Darwin González (in the red jersey) (source: Peter Cingel)
“I chose Bardejov because it was the first club that opened its doors to me. From that moment on, I worked to raise my level so that I could contribute to the team,” he added, noting that his goal now is to work hard, play in the highest leagues, and eventually earn a place in his country’s national team.
