DANILO ORSI was ready to take up a job in IT but is now in line to become the next Jamie Vardy.
The Crawley striker never thought he was going to become a professional footballer.
Born and raised in north London Orsi played in non-League with Cockfosters while studying for his A-Levels.
He was set on balancing a semi-professional career with an IT job in the City he was preparing to start.
But in 2015 he received a phone call that changed his life.
He told Sky Sports: “I got a call asking if I wanted to go out to America for six weeks and playing in a tournament out there for one of my old coaches.
“My mum was the one who pushed me and said, if I was going into work for the rest of my life, to go and experience it.
“I ended up staying out there for three-and-a-half years!”
The 28-year-old studied business management and played football for Eastern Florida State College.
The striker then went on to play for Chivas USA’s U19 and Fort Lauderdale Strikers’ U23s.
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Orsi then returned to the UK in 2018 and played non-league football.
He had short spells at East Thurrock United, Hungerford Town, Hampton & Richmond and Maidenhead United, while also working for his uncle’s plumbing company on his days off.
His first term at Maidenhead saw him score 19 goals in 39 games which earned a move to League Two side Harrogate in the summer of 2021.
When asked what players inspired him the die-hard Arsenal fan quickly said a Gunners legend but he also mentioned Leicester icon Vardy.
Orsi said: “Being an Arsenal fan, I looked up to Thierry Henry and what he did, but, more recently, I’d probably say Vardy and what he’s managed to do over the last 10 years.
“He was one of the first who really kicked on and pushed up through the levels after coming from non-league.
“Even though our games are slightly different, I’ve thought about replicating what he’s done and trying to kick on as high as possible.
“It gave me a lot of inspiration and, when I was playing in non-league, in my head, it was about being as full-time as possible.
“Knowing that if I did things right, I could have a chance to kick on through the leagues.”
The Leicester forward rose from the Northern Premier League to the Premier League within just six seasons.
And Orsi is on the right path to follow the former England international.
Arriving at Crawley at the start of the season the striker has made 25 goal involvements which have come in the form of 21 goals and four assists to date.
His importance in the squad saw him named Crawley’s PFA Community Champion for 2023/24.
And Orsi could see himself making his debut in League One next term as Crawley face MK Dons in the League Two play-off semi-final.