“It did not impact my childhood or change anything. In 2008 it was war against Russia. Before that, everyone used to learn Russian in school and talk with a Russian accent. In the Georgian language there are Russian words. Now, after 2008 when there was a war, everything has changed. Now it is more European style."

After Vitesse, Vako joined the Polish side Legia Warszawa on loan, but the move there proved to be even more challenging than the one to Holland.

“It was really difficult going to Poland from Holland because I had my friends and family in Holland. It was difficult to move alone to a new country. It was also difficult in Poland because I didn’t do my best there on that team. From there I had the experience to go somewhere else, so I came here. I am so happy.”

In his career, Vako has fulfilled some dreams, one of those being his first callup to the senior squad on the Georgia National Team, where they won 2-0 on March 5, 2014 against Lichtenstein, and the other playing against Real Madrid.

“I like to play FIFA on my PlayStation at home, and two years ago when I was playing in Poland, I played against Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabéu in Spain. It was a dream come true for me because it was exactly the same as FIFA. I was star struck.”

Vako will continue to pursue his football dreams with the Quakes in San Jose, with his family cheering him on. Gvantsa and Emilia come to the stadium for all the Quakes games, and his family back in Georgia watch him via the internet.

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