The Bay of Plenty will soon have another fledgling footballer to cheer on in Europe as former Tauranga Boys' College standout Jordan Toy prepares to say 'bon voyage” to New Zealand and 'bonjour" to French football.

The exciting winger has agreed a deal to join St Pierre de Milizac that will see the teenager playing football in the home of the current FIFA World Cup holders.

It's quite the big step for the youngster, whose path began as a four-year-old in Hamilton.

Those that know Jordan will however have no doubts about his ability to thrive in such an environment. The 18-year-old is not only known for his electric pace and dazzling dribbling, but also for his leadership qualities and strong character.

Jordan has captained both the Tauranga Boys' College First XI and Tauranga City AFC's youth teams, enjoying success with both.

He helped TBC First XI to Super Eights glory in both 2019 and 2021, despite an injury limiting his minutes in the latter, while also enjoying success with Tauranga City, lifting silverware at the U-17 National Football Tournament in 2020 and the U-19 equivalent in 2019.

Jordan captained the TBC First XI. Photo credit: Tauranga Boys' College Facebook.

However, Jordan decided to move on from the BOP at the end of last season, taking a step up with Auckland-based Birkenhead United AFC for the inaugural Northern League campaign.

Jordan's switch to North Shore came with no secret of his ambition to eventually move abroad. In the end, the Shepherds Park-based side played a pivotal role in paving the way for Jordan's new adventure.

'Birkenhead have been amazing, they knew I was keen to have a go at turning pro, and they hooked me up with a top agent in the UK,” Jordan explains.

'I had sent him footage of me playing and he was sharing it around Europe. St Pierre de Milizac reached out after seeing the footage and offered me a contract.”

Jordan's new team currently play in the National 3 - Bretagne league, French football's fifth tier. But they have immense ambition. In 2021-22 they finished level on points with the B team of Ligue 1's fourth-place side Stade Rennais, only missing out on promotion by virtue of goal difference, while their owner has links with Ligue 1, France's premier competition, side Stade Brestois.

Promotion will therefore be the main goal for Jordan's new club when the French football season kicks off in August.

But just getting to his new home will be an epic journey for Jordan. He will only reach his new base in Brest following a 36-hour trip from Auckland - involving stops in both Dubai and Paris.

That is just the first part of Jordan's odyssey to a somewhat unusual location.

Jordan in action for Birkenhead earlier this season. Photo: BUAFC Facebook.

France is a novel route into the professional game for a Kiwi footballing ex-pat. The road more regularly travelled would be via the United Kingdom, Scandinavia or even the United States.

In fact, Jordan confirms there was interest from English second-tier side Birmingham City and Scotland's St Mirren - where fellow former Birkenhead United forward Alex Greive currently plys his trade - but the only offer came from Brittany.

Inspiration can however be taken from current All Whites and Portland Timbers centre-back Bill Tuiloma.

He too made the move from Birkenhead to France in 2013, beginning his professional career with French giants Marseille. Jordan is clearly hopeful he can achieve a similar trajectory.

'France has a great reputation for highly skilled players so I am looking forward to learning as much as I can from them every day,” says Jordan.

'My aim is to just improve as much as I can and impress the club and put myself in a good position to extend my contract and continue to build my way up the leagues in Europe. Then, hopefully, I can reach the world stage.”

One of the appeals of the more regularly frequented destinations for exciting New Zealand footballers is the lack of a language barrier of playing in English-speaking nations. Although, St Mirren's Greive might attest otherwise regarding the Paisley accent.

While Jordan admits his current grasp of the French language 'is not great” he seems prepared for the task of adapting off the pitch as much as on it.

'I have been and will be working on my French a lot,” he states.

'I aim to become fluent in it and I am also looking forward to experiencing a new culture in France. I intend to immerse myself in the different lifestyle experiencing as much as I can.”

Jordan is now on a trail previously blazed by other Bay of Plenty talents such as Tyler Boyd, Ryan Thomas and Olivia Chance.

But no matter where it takes him, Jordy, as he is known to friends, is clear about one thing - the role those who have got him this far have played.

'I would like to take the time to thank everyone that has been part of my journey so far,” Jordan says.

'From Hamilton, Whakatāne, Tauranga and Auckland my teammates, coaches, friends and family have been so amazing and supportive.

'I wouldn't be in the position today if it wasn't for everyone teaching me different things along the way.”

His new calling will certainly have football fanatics across the Bay of Plenty, and the rest of New Zealand, checking results in the French fifth-tier next season.

-Article originally published by Mathew Nash/Match of the Bay.