Dylan Rees: Why I decided to take a break from professional football and how Cardiff Met has helped to develop my game

Ahead of an historic Europa League tie, former Cardiff City youth product Dylan Rees has revealed the reasoning behind joining Cardiff Metropolitan, after being released by the Bluebirds in 2017.

The Archers defender has been a key part of the side that secured their place in the Preliminary Round of qualifying for the UEFA Europa League.

Christian Edwards’ side have been drawn to face FC Progrès Niederkorn, with the first leg taking place in Luxembourg on June 27, before Met host the return leg at Leckwith Stadium, Cardiff a week later on July 4.

After coming to terms with his release from Cardiff City, Rees devised a clear plan which included potentially returning to professional football in the future.

“When I finished professional football, I always wanted to return at some stage. My decision to come to Cardiff Metropolitan was to get a degree, and hopefully step back into professional football – which is still my aim.

“I’ve got a year left here, and then I’ll be looking to push back into the professional game, so hopefully games like this will be good to put on my CV.”

Rees had to deal with the setback of being let go by Cardiff, but was determined not to let it get the better of him.

“Obviously I was disappointed to be released from Cardiff, but you can’t let that stop you, you’ve got to keep playing. I love football so I had to keep going.”

After failing to find an exciting new challenge close to home, an unexpected offer in the form of Swedish side Karlstad BK gave Rees the opportunity to re-build his career abroad.

“I had a few trials in English football, but they didn’t materialise for whatever reason. I signed for Aberystwyth, stayed there for a couple of months and then I had an offer from Karlstad – completely out of the blue – and I thought why not, I’ll give it a try.

“The experience I got was invaluable, I learned so much in my short time out there.”

The 22-year-old is hoping to utilise his knowledge of playing in Europe to help the Students in what is expected to be a stern challenge for the Cyncoed side.

“The way they play football in Sweden is completely different to how they play it over here, so hopefully I can use my experience of playing games in Sweden to benefit us as a team and of course individually as well.

“They’re going to be a good, strong side, I know they knocked Rangers out a couple of years ago and they’ve got a few star players.

“Personally, I came up against some talented players during my time at Cardiff, so hopefully I can use my experience in playing against them to help us.”

Rees’ career path is perhaps not the most conventional, but he is content that it is one which has allowed him to improve as a player.

“I don’t think it was a risk (to take time out of professional football), because I knew the way that Cardiff Met play football is the way I like to play it, so it was a place I could come to and develop my game.”

“The brand of football was the main attraction. Myself and Christian had been in contact for a while before I joined, and after returning from Sweden it was a no brainer to come here.

“I’ve grown leaps and bounds as a football player, I was still a young boy when I left Cardiff; I was only 20.

“Two years here playing men’s football week in, week out has definitely helped me physically and mentally – I’m a lot stronger now.”

Rees is using his belief in the team to perform as motivation, as he struggled to hold back his excitement at the club’s media day.

“I was ecstatic, if you want to play anyone, you want to play the best teams in the draw. I say it every time, as soon as this lot turn it on, I think we stand a good chance against anybody.

“TNS came down here earlier on in the season and we turned them over 4-1, so it’s definitely doable, we just have to put our minds to it and hopefully get a result.”

Rees was speaking at the club’s media event, which was held at Cyncoed Campus in Cardiff.

(Featured image: Matthew Lofthouse)