At the youthful age of 21, hailing from Malabon City, Shane Neil Clemente has secured his place as the latest addition to the esteemed football club CD Llosetense, nestled in the picturesque enclave of Lloseta, Majorca, Spain.
In an official statement, CD Llosetense’s President and Pro-Experience Academy Manager, Lurek Vince Estarellas, conveyed, “With great pleasure, we formally introduce Shane Clemente as the latest member of our U23 team. We have firm belief in Shane’s possession of the qualities and skills essential for his flourishing sports career.
“He notably displays exceptional intellect, clear vision, and an unwavering work ethic — all vital attributes for both personal and professional advancement.”
Reflecting back to 2013, Clemente stood among the chosen 22 boys out of a sea of aspirants spanning the Philippines. These select few embarked on a transformative journey to the United Kingdom, forming the Under-11 national pool that underwent a rigorous three-week elite training program at Loughborough University.
The remarkable journey of these young players was eloquently documented in the acclaimed film “Little Azkals,” masterfully directed by the award-winning filmmaker Baby Ruth Villarama.
Clemente’s trajectory saw him contributing to the varsity football team of San Beda University High School in Taytay, before he embarked on a new chapter by joining the ranks of the Al Ittifaq Football Club in the United Arab Emirates in 2022.
Clemente’s star quality came to the forefront through videos of his game highlights, posted on social media platforms. These captivating clips caught the discerning eye of Ruben Fortunato Lopez and the esteemed 90plus Sports Agency.
The videos, meticulously edited by Clemente’s brother Bryan, a skilled videographer and post-production artist based in Dubai, ignited the spark that would set the course for his transformative journey.
As he penned his contract, Clemente expressed his exhilaration, stating, “This is the moment! I’m ecstatic about embarking on this journey. It marks a significant stride in my career and keeps my dreams of becoming a professional footballer alive.
“I’m fully prepared to make waves in the upcoming season!”
Being the youngest of five siblings, born to a liaison officer-father and a public school teacher-mother, Shane—referred to fondly by family and friends—nurtured ambitions of ascending to the zenith of professional football ever since his days as an eight-year-old student at Malabon’s Acacia Elementary School.
Estarellas envisions Clemente’s evolution as a footballer being profoundly shaped by the elevated level of play in Spain.
“As a club, our commitment lies in providing Shane with the essential resources and support required to unlock his untapped potential, enabling him to manifest the finest version of himself both on and off the field,” affirmed Estarellas.
“We are genuinely excited about the vista of possibilities that await him and eagerly anticipate bearing witness to his strides and accomplishments. Together, we shall ardently pursue excellence and triumph in the realm of football.”
