“Oh, I’m an alien, I’m a legal alien, I’m an Englishman in New York Salt Lake”, when Sting sang these words back in 1987, he never would’ve thought that I’d be referencing them for an article about an exciting English football talent who is currently plying his trade in the States. Luke Mulholland, 29, is an attacking midfielder playing for Real Salt Lake in the MLS and I was lucky enough to be able to ask him a few questions.

Luke started his career at non-league English outfit Lancaster City, before moving to America where he played his college career at the Wingate Bulldogs, the football team of Wingate University, North Carolina. After two seasons at Reading United in the USL Premier Development League, he spent brief spells at the Wilmington Hammerheads and the NSC Minnesota Stars. He got his big break when second division side Tampa Bay Rowdies snapped him up and after 53 appearances for them, he moved to MLS side Real Salt Lake. He has since racked up an impressive 120+ league appearances for Real Salt Lake, scoring 16 goals in the process.

When asked what inspired him to become a footballer, Luke told me that “I had a ball at my feet from as young as I remember, I was obsessed.” Adding that he always knew he wanted to be a footballer, “that was always what I imagined I’d be doing”. As a boy, Luke looked up to the likes of “Gascoigne, Zidane, Ronaldo and Gerrard” and supported “Liverpool and Preston”. Luke has become a fan favourite in the Real Salt Lake fanbase, with fans applauding him for being “fun to watch” (Source: RSLSoapbox).

Luke Mulholland’s journey from non-league England to the top flight of American football has been decorated with various successes. In 2011, he was crowned as the USL Pro Rookie of the Year and was included in the division’s best XI. He also won the Soccer Bowl MVP in 2011 before being declared in the NASL Best XI in both 2012 and 2013. His NASL performances in 2013 were also recognised with two player of the month awards: one in April and one in October.

Despite all these accolades, when I asked Luke what the best moment of his career so far was, he replied that the “best part for me is entering my 5th year in the MLS” adding that “I had to work from the ground up and used every league below the MLS as stepping stones.” His journey has been impressive but what makes the MLS so special to Luke? He describes it as “a good league” and that “the talent pool is increasing each season. It’s very competitive from top to bottom.”

Luke had some final words for anyone wanting to pursue a career in football:

“You have to be willing to step out of your comfort zone and make sacrifices along the way in order to make your dream reality. There’s thousands and thousands lads around the world that want to be a professional footballer.”

A big thanks to Luke for answering my questions and taking the time to chat to me!