Keep an eye on: Jeppe Illum

He travelled from one part of Denmark to the other to become the footballer he is today. This week's talent is Jeppe Illum from Silkeborg IF.

Illum was born in Næstved, and represented the city's club as well as Karrebæk IF and Herlufholm GF before leaving Zealand to study at Hesselgods Football School. The young player attended the border school for a year and has only fund memories from it.

"It was a year of maturity with football as the main object. It was perfect for me as there were competent coaches and you had some opportunities of development. It was a great year, and I will never regret it," Illum says.

Unlike many other players, Illum was not directly scouted by Silkeborg. The striker was actually recommended to join Silkeborg's Football Academy as he then had the opportunity to study in college as well as keep developing his football career. At first, Illum's parents paid the tuition fees, but after 1½ year, Silkeborg noticed the talent and paid for the rest of his college. Joining the college was a wake up call for the young player.

"It opened my eyes for how much work is needed to become something in the world of football. Training two times a day – one of the at seven in the morning - and at the same time go to school and move away from your parents was a point of no return for me. It made me realise that this was what I wanted, and I had to work hard to make it."

Illum had become topscorer for the club U19-team and was promoted to the senior squad aged 18. Only six days before his 19-year old birthday, he was given his debut in the dying minutes against Odense Boldklub. The former topscorer hardly had time to make an impact, but two months later he became the fourth youngest goalscorer in the club. However, the striker wasn't even aware of this.

"Well, it is always good to be remembered, but it is not something I think about. I’m just trying to make as many goals as possible and help my team the best I can."

Silkeborg IF has recently hired a new coach, Viggo Jensen, and, despite only knowing Illum for a short period of time, he has a clear view on how the talent has to develop.

"He has a good ball control and view for the game, but he has to work with his physics on every level; especially speed and stamina," Jensen said,

And added: "He needs to have more great moments – it is not enough to be good three or four times during a match, he has to be good the whole match."

Despite being positioned in the bottom of the Danish Superliga, Silkeborg is considered to have a fairly strong offensive. During this week,  they even added a Swedish talent to the squad; Illum is aware of the situation but is keeping calm:

"My situation is hard at the moment; I’m being matched in training every day, and it is all about being the best every time. However, this is also what makes me better, and I just have to fight for my position and play as much as possible."

Viggo Jensen is backing up his young player, saying he has a chance if he can work with his physics and that the club is seeing a future in him.

Jeppe Illum has not been a part of the Danish national youth teams and has only had four matches for the Danish U20. However, the Silkeborg-player does not believe he has been missing out on anything as he sees a line between the DBU (Danish national teams) and the Danish clubs way of playing and training. And they U20 national is hoping to take the next step to the U21, but is aware that he will have to work for it.

"It goes together; success for my club team can open for the U21 national team, so for me it is all about getting some match experience here. I hope to be a more regular starter in Silkeborg, and when this has happened I can begin to think about the national team," the Dane says.

The few international matches have given Illum the taste for more, but with 2½ year left of his contract in Silkeborg he does not know what the future brings. However, should he be lucky to go abroad Spain is to be preferred as he finds their play attractive.