“Signing with CF Gava was completely out of the blue,” Hobbs says.
“Espanyol, of La Liga, sent some coaches to the US who ended up watching me play. CF Gava is one of Espanyol’s feeder clubs and they asked if I would be interested in making the move, which sounded too good to turn down.”
Hobbs’ journey is one that has taken him across several countries and cities spread across the globe, a journey which started on Auckland’s North Shore.
He worked his way through the ranks at Glenfield Rovers in New Zealand, before accepting a scholarship to attend Florida International University in Miami, USA.
During his four years at University he turned out for New Zealand at both the FIFA U-17 World Cup and the FIFA U-20 World Cup, while also helping the U-23s qualify for the London Olympics.
In 2012 Hobbs joined the Major League Soccer club Portland Timbers U-23 side and a year later made the step up to the Timbers reserves and went on to make one appearance for the first team.
Moving back to Oceania he signed on to play for Team Wellington before injury struck and he was forced out for the season. Hobbs made a return to the USA for rehab, and was soon back training with Portland.
“In 2015 I signed for Auckland City FC to play in the OFC Champions League and help them qualify for another FIFA Club World Cup,” Hobbs says.
“I returned to the USA after that to trial with teams in the USL division but that is where the Spanish opportunity came up.”
Joining the Barcelona-based club was a surprise for the young defender, but not an unwelcome one and he’s now looking forward to the season ahead.
“I had my first game with the team in the final of a pre-season tournament,” he says of his first taste of football in Spain.
“On the day I arrived I watched them play and was very impressed. They possess the ball very well and press high up the field. I like the style of play and the training sessions are very intense, which is helping me adjust to their system of play.”
Hobbs credits his time with Auckland City FC with giving him a helping hand in getting to know the Spanish style.
“Being with Auckland City last season gave me the opportunity to play under a great coach and with great players,” he says.
“Obviously Ramon [Tribulietx] is from Spain along with a few of the players, so I got a good understanding of their philosophy and the way of Spanish football. Being around the players at Auckland City was great and it’s just a coincidence that I now have the opportunity to play in their countries.”
While adjusting to a new city, culture and language can be a challenge, it’s one the globetrotting Hobbs is relishing.
“The club is very well run and they look after their players. They have a nice training facility with the stadium in the local town. Everyone is very welcoming which has made it a lot easier to settle in, but the language barrier is difficult,” he says.
And being immersed in one of the Spain’s footballing hubs is only helping the process of adjusting.
“Barcelona is an amazing city. There is so much to see and do, and they love their football.
“I’ve been to see the Nou Camp where Barca play, it was incredible. The city is clean, the people are friendly and welcoming, I just need to work on my Spanish,” he enthuses.
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