During the championship play-offs we spoke with Toshio Lake, a 23-year-old talented striker who is now embarking on the daunting competition at the top of the Greek Super League and has been managed by Status Pro Sport since 2021. After going through the youth academy at Feyenoord, he plays in a foreign country for the first time. From fighting for a starting spot to being on your own for the first time in a foreign country. We spoke to Toshio about his time in the Netherlands and his new adventure in Greece.

For those who don't know you yet, who is Toshio Lake?

''Toshio Lake is a 23-year-old footballer, born and raised in Rotterdam. A real family man, a Christian boy who loves good vibes and attaches great importance to his faith.''

Who were your teammates at Feyenoord and the Dutch youth national team? Who do you still keep in touch with?

''I still speak to almost everyone, some more than others. At Feyenoord, I played with a lot of really good guys. Joshua Zirkzee, Ramon Hendriks, Quilindschy Hartman, the Timber brothers, Lutsharel Geertruida and Tyrell Malacia. And then I'm probably forgetting a bunch. With the Dutch national team, there were Bryan Brobbey, Nigel Thomas, Mohammed Ihattaren and I could go on. I still have a lot of contact with Joshua Zirkzee and Quinten Timber, but perhaps the most with Tyrell Malacia. Tyrell and I went through a phase where we were both injured at the same time. Then you really support each other through the process. I talk a lot about God with Quinten, he really helped me get closer to God.''

You're known for your Eredivisie debut at Fortuna Sittard where you immediately provided an assist and scored a goal against FC Twente. How did you experience that and how do you look back on it now? 

''It was a boyhood dream come true. Of course, I played in the youth academy at Feyenoord and it was my dream to do it there. But God chose a different path for me and it happened at Fortuna. That didn't make it any less beautiful. Looking back now, I stayed in that bubble for a bit too long. Maybe I enjoyed the moment too much. I learned a lot from that.''

How did the period after Fortuna Sittard go for you?

''There came a moment when I was able to get out of that bubble at Fortuna. It was a difficult season with a lot of losses, which meant I didn't get much playing time. Eventually, I was loaned out to MVV during the winter break, where I got a lot of minutes and was able to work towards a match every week. When my contract at Fortuna wasn't extended, I was at a crossroads. My old coach at MVV, who was now at Oss, wanted me there. After a difficult season with little playing time in the second half of the season, I had multiple options both domestically and abroad. After careful consideration, I chose to take on the challenge at PAS Lamia in Greece, to play in the highest league against big clubs as a stepping stone for my career.''

You are now active in the highest league in Greece with PAS Lamia 1964. Tell us a bit more about the club.

''Lamia is a club that few people in the Netherlands will know. Mainly clubs like PAOK, Olympiacos and Panathinaikos will be familiar in the Netherlands. Lamia is a small town in central Greece. Everyone lives close together in the neighbourhood. The culture here is very different from the Netherlands.''

How did you experience the move abroad?

''Adjusting to Greece as a 22-year-old was quite difficult. The different languages and the alphabet caused problems, and I also struggled with injuries. During that period, I immersed myself in my faith and took Bible study classes, which gave me a lot of peace. By now, I understand the language and culture better, which makes it easier. I knew this would be a period of personal development. The transition to playing abroad is often underestimated, which I also experienced myself.''

With PAS Lamia 1964, you are playing in the playoffs against clubs like PAOK, AEK Athens, Olympiacos and Panathinaikos. How is that going for you?

''It's the first time in Lamia's history that they have reached the playoffs and I'm very proud to be a part of that. I wasn't able to fully contribute on the way there due to injuries. Now that I'm fully fit again, I can make my contribution and measure myself against the top. From the youth academy at Feyenoord, I've always had to measure myself against the top and that also brings out the best in me. For me, these are the tastiest matches to play, so I'm curious to see what else it will bring.''

‍What position(s) do you play and what are your specific qualities in those roles?

''From the youth academy, I've played in all attacking positions, which has allowed me to develop versatility. My qualities are speed, strength, vision and playing in small spaces and between the lines. Scoring ability and offensive threat characterize my game. People often say I have a football brain, probably because I'm a true football fanatic who watches a lot of the Premier League to learn from it.''

‍Who is your biggest inspiration in the world of football and why?

''My biggest inspirations are my friends who are doing well, like Quinten Timber who showed it after a difficult year at Feyenoord. That motivates me because it seems like success is within reach. But from a young age, Manchester United with Cristiano Ronaldo was my biggest inspiration to become a professional footballer. I also enjoyed watching Paul Scholes, who played a different position but whose style of play really appealed to me as a football fanatic.''

‍Can you tell us something about your training routine and how you physically and mentally prepare for matches?

''In a normal training week, I start on Wednesday with team training in the gym. Afterwards, I do individual extra gym and strength training focused on my weaknesses. I'm often one of the last to leave the club. The more I train, the fewer aches and pains I have. On match days, I listen to a lot of music and mentally prepare myself, for example by praying and visualizing the match if we play on Sundays.''

‍What would you like to pass on to young players who want to further develop themselves?

''For me, my faith is very important, not everyone believes in God but believing in yourself and what you stand for is important. Besides that, it sounds very cliché but hard work. There is no special script to make it. For me, it's hard work and believing in God.''

‍