From Kupondole's Friends Club to a German football club. For Nepali football striker Nirajan Rayamajhi, it will be a whole new club and country from next year as he joins the German football club, ?rnek/T?rkspor.

A prolific scorer in the domestic league, Nirajan was the first Nepali to score a hat trick in World Cup qualifying matches -he did so against Macau in the qualifying matches to the 2002 World Cup where he scored seven goals altogether. In another first, he is now the first Nepali footballer to play professionally
in Europe.

It all began when Bikram Subba, a Nepali living in Germany, tipped ?rnek's manager about Nirajan's skill and the potential. A two-month training period and a few test matches later the 23-year-old had signed on as part of ?rnek's D Division for approximately $1,500 a month. Started by Turkish residents living in Germany, ?rnek is considered one of the more competitive and proficient of the many foreign teams based in Germany. Arriving at D Division is considered a success. Professional football starts at the ninth league, clubs have to pass seven phases to arrive at Bundesliga, the top German league.

Come February, the Gokarna resident will be able to show off his skills in stadiums around Germany. He's looking forward to the experience, sure that it will boost his football career. "The honour and affection that Germany shows its football players has inspired me to play my best and to represent Nepal," says a thrilled Nirajan. The only sour note for the player will be leaving his wife behind while he goes on to conquer the football fields of Europe.