Max Balard has always taken the road less travelled.
The Australian son of French immigrants - whose dad was a rugby union youth international - grew up bouncing his way around Asia, kicking a ball here, there and everywhere, before finally landing on the Central Coast.
But now, Balard is following in the footsteps of many Socceroos, thriving in the Netherlands.
Balard's form has NAC Breda fans dubbing him "the Aussie Kante", and earned him a maiden call-up for upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
So how did he get here?
Fluent French speaker Balard was born in Australia, but left at three.
"My dad was in the cement industry, and just followed him around with his job in many developing countries in Asia where they were building a lot," he said.
"They would just send him around pretty much every three years, and so I moved around quite a lot, and just played football wherever I went, because that was my love of the game."
Balard returned to Australia as a teenager, joined Central Coast's academy and became a pivotal part of the team that won back-to-back championships, a premiership and an AFC Cup.
At Breda, he's played in a win over Ajax Amsterdam and quickly earned a new nickname - comparing him to France and former Chelsea star defensive midfielder N'Golo Kante.
"Kante is a top player, I must say. But I'm very flattered," he said.
"I'm just doing doing my job over there, the coach has given me a lot of confidence.
"The supporters have been amazing as well, making me feel at home over there.
"When you're by yourself on the other side of the world, it can be a bit tough sometimes, but for me, it's been very easy. I can't complain."
Balard has "big shoes to fill" after the likes of Graham Arnold, Tony Vidmar and Ante Milicic previously played at his Dutch club.
"The Eredivisie is a great league, very technical, but don't underestimate the physicality of it as well," he said.
"It's a very good league to improve and I feel like since I've been there, I've improved a lot.
"If your first touch isn't good - forget about your second."
When an "overjoyed" Balard got the text confirming his Socceroos selection - having never played for Australia at youth level - he had to read it twice to make sure, before calling his delighted parents.
The 23-year-old is adamant he can deliver if called upon by Tony Popovic against Saudi Arabia at AAMI Park on Thursday, or Bahrain in Riffa four days later.
"With my technical qualities, I can help try and crack defences, especially those that are sitting back," he said.
"If he (Popovic) gives me the opportunity, I'll be ready with both hands to try and take it."
