ZAK Brunt joined Southend United on loan from Sheffield United this week.

But if things had worked out differently the 19-year-old could well have been playing in Spain.

The attacking midfielder played abroad when he was only 11.

And the move came after he became frustrated by football in England.

“I went to Aston Villa and Man City but I didn’t really buy into the philosophy of the academies and I didn’t really enjoy it as much as I thought I should,” Brunt told the US3 Podcast.

“I came away from Man City and told my dad I wanted to leave and wanted to go to Brazil!

“I was only 10 or 11 but I’d always loved Brazil growing up with Ronaldinho and Neymar.

“I was obsessed with it but my dad said there was no chance of us going there so then I just said well Spain is close, let’s go there.

“We chatted a few days later, we decided to at least give it a go and he said he would try and get me some trials.”

And that eventually led to Brunt teaming up with Atletico Madrid.

“I went to Real Valladolid and travelled to Atletico Madrid afterwards,” recalled Brunt.

“I hadn’t been used to anything over 20 degrees, it was about 36 degrees and just ridiculous.

“I came off at Real Valladolid dripping with sweat but they said they would like me to stay for longer.

“I couldn’t because we were going to Madrid and I got a trial with the community side.

“In Spain they do it differently so you have an A,B,C,D,E and F teams for one age-group.

“I did well so jumped up to the D team then the C where I had a few weeks before going to the B team.

“I tried to sign for the A team but my international clearance wouldn’t go through.

“I played for the B team and I loved it.

“I kept trying to sign but FIFA kept refusing the application.”

However, Brunt continued to work hard and soon started to impress elsewhere.

“There was a training school on a Sunday for the best lads in Madrid who wanted extra training,” said Brunt.

“Roberto Rojas was the Real Madrid coach for my age and his assistant was Guti.

“Rojas took the training and in the first session I was so far out of my depth.

“The lads were a joke and I was so nervous. He basically said not to come back but my dad said no we’ll see you next week!

“I went again and I was a joke.

“It was one of the better sessions I had.

“I kept coming along and he asked about my situation at Athletico.

“He said he wanted me to come across and have a trial with Real.

“I was buzzing but my dad told him I didn’t have international clearance.

“Roberto said they could try and find a way around it but then it got rejected again and again.”

Brunt eventually returned to England to join Derby County before he dropped into the non-league game with Matlock Town.

The midfielder was soon snapped up by Sheffield United and will now be looking to continue his development while with the Shrimpers.