Anselmo García MacNulty hoping to make European experience count with Ireland's U21

At just 20 years of age, Anselmo García MacNulty is still learning his craft as a centre-back while away from the football pitch, the talented youngster has other lessons in the pipeline as well.

But given he began with his hometown club Real Betis in Seville, is a Republic of Ireland underage international whose list of clubs include Vfl Wolfsburg in Germany before joining NAC Breda and now PEC Zwolle in the Netherlands, Garcia MacNulty has spent plenty of time in the classroom.

“Spanish, English and German,” he confirms are the three languages he can speak.

“Fluent Spanish and English. I understand German and can talk it but have forgotten a little bit from being in the Netherlands for three years.

“I want to start some language classes. For me, it’s always respectful to know the language of where you are. I would like to start learning Dutch.”

The cultured defender is more than comfortable with moving to a new country provided it is for the betterment of his football career.

It is that mindset that saw him leave Wolfsburg to join Dutch first division side NAC Breda on loan in the summer of 2022 before deciding to make the switch to the Netherlands permanent back in July when signing for PEC Zwolle, who are currently eighth in the Eredivisie.

“I knew there wasn’t a big chance to play at Wolfsburg and the important thing at my age is get minutes,” he continues.

“I knew that I was a good player but it’s tough there. They had good players in my position and knew it would be difficult to play.

“I had to get out for minutes and the NAC opportunity came, a great club in the second division, and played 38 games last season.

“I needed games to improve. You can train a lot, but the most learning is by playing games. It was a