Swans striker Besian Idrizaj has more reason than most to establish a long career in the British game.
For the moment the Austrian front-man returns to his homeland, he's set to face six months of National Service.
The former Liverpool striker and Austrian Young Player of the Year (2005) had to make a fleeting visit back home last week to complete a medical in readiness for his army life.
"Everyone, as long as they are fit and healthy, has to do six months of National Service in Austria,'' explained the 22-year-old who has also had loan spells at Luton and Crystal Palace.
"I had to do the medical when I was 17, but because I left the country to join Liverpool I never did my National Service.
"My two brothers and my father have done their National Service and some of my friends have been out to places like Afghanistan.
"I know I'll have to do it myself one day, but I want to put it off as long as I can. Perhaps I can keep playing abroad until I'm 60,'' he joked.
The Baden-born youngster, who signed a two-year-contract at the start if the season, added: "National Service is tough, especially the first four weeks when you have to learn how to handle a gun and even grenades.
"They say it teaches you discipline and respect. It makes you a man.''
Having returned to the Liberty Stadium with a 'pass' stamped on his medical report, Besian's next target is to get himself 100 per cent fit and pass his next call to first team action.
Having been given his first start by manager Paulo Sousa against Plymouth on December 8, the striker admits he didn't do himself justice that day.
"After being out of the game for so long, I think I had done too much too soon,'' he explained.
Besian was referring to the time he had spent out of the game after collapsing on the pitch playing on loan (from Liverpool) for Wacker Innsbruck against Sturm Graz in an Austrian top-flight fixture back in February 2008.
Thousands watched as Besian lay face down and unconscious with what they first thought was a heart-attack.
"It was just a virus," adds Besian. "It infected me badly, but thankfully it wasn't my heart.
"After that I didn't want to start playing again straightaway because it was a really difficult time for my family.
"I just wanted to have a break from football, to think about everything that had happened and to appreciate that I was still alive.
"It was a difficult time because I was out of contract that summer and people didn't want to take me.
"They thought there was some problem with my heart and they didn't want to take a risk.''
But Paulo had faith in the youngster, who represented his country at Under-21 level and scored three times in12 international matches, and brought him to Swansea.
"I am grateful to the manager because he was prepared to take a bit of a gamble,'' he added. "Now I want to do everything I can to repay him.
"I've had a difficult time over the last six weeks. I've felt really tired and I think I did too much too soon after being out for so long.
"I expected to do better against Plymouth, but it was difficult after not playing first team football for so long.
"I have been doing well for the Reserves and in training and I know the fans haven't seen the best of me yet. But I've been feeling a lot better over the last two weeks and I am slowly starting to get myself 100 per cent fit.
"I'm moving in the right direction. Hopefully I can get into the first team again and make the manager, club and fans happy.''
