Ryan De Vries has made five 38-hour journeys between New Zealand and Ireland since signing for Sligo Rovers only 13 months ago.
He was also living away from his wife and young family for the second-half of 2020, so what’s the draw in coming back?
“I felt it was the right thing to do,” said the striker, ahead of tonight’s televised clash away to Kevin Sheedy's Waterford.
De Vries, who also had a spell in Japan, arrived in Sligo for the start of last season with his wife Kristy and daughter Layla.
But when the country was locked down for the first time, he was allowed to return home and when it was safe to return here, he did so on his own.
“Kristy was pregnant with our second daughter, so she stayed in New Zealand. It was difficult being apart and especially at such an important time,” he said.
“Football kept me going and so did the guys I lived with in Sligo as they were also away from home.”
De Vries planned to go back to New Zealand in early December, but the season was extended and Rovers also reached the FAI Cup semi-final.
“When I did get home, I had to do 14-days in a quarantine hotel. It only finished on Christmas Eve and only then could I see my family which was challenging.
“We had Christmas together, then had our little girl, Maddison, on February 25 before preparing for our flight here two weeks later.
“As a footballer you’re always making sacrifices to achieve the things you want and this was just one we made as a family to be here,
“Things are obviously a bit different because of restrictions in Ireland compared to New Zealand.
“Life has returned to normal there but we’re all together which is the most important thing.”
De Vries was only out of quarantine last week but despite training with Auckland City in pre-season, wasn’t fit for Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Dundalk and was an unused sub.
“I haven’t played in a long time but when the manager needs me I’ll be ready. It won’t take long."
South-African born but capped five times for New Zealand, De Vries could feature at the RSC tonight and added: “We want to build on the start we made last week.”
