Facing up to adversity and setbacks is a challenge we all face in life.

In professional sport, it is often what distinguishes the athletes who make it with those left languishing on the sidelines.

Footballer Jesse Edge, 23, has never let disappointments avert his determination to succeed on the world stage.

The Tauranga-born defensive midfielder is now playing in the top ranked Slovakian division for FK Zeleziarne Podbrezova after spells at Achilles 29 (Netherlands), FC Pisek (Czech Republic), Vicenza (Italy), Auckland City and WaiBop United.

The Slovakian contract is a massive step forward in Edge's career, with European Cup football a real possibility.

'It is obviously a little bit tough when you have to move countries,” he says. 'It is like starting your life again each time you have to move, but I have been so blessed with all the people that I have met and the people who have been looking after me.

'I never thought to ever give up. That never came across my mind, but of course there were tough times. I have always tried to enjoy it.”

Missing a long-term contract at Vicenza after two years in Italy was the biggest disappointment for Edge, after he became the first New Zealander to play in the senior Italian divisions.

'After that, I did a bit of time at Auckland City to kind of give myself a base and start again after playing so many games,” he explains. 'The Czech Republic and Netherlands were more of a stepping stone and that kind of worked in a good way for me.

'Slovakia is a good level. It was a first goal of mine to be playing in a first league in Europe, which I had never done before, so when this opportunity came up I grabbed it quite quickly.

'People watch this league and the top four teams are going for European places. I have to embrace the opportunity I have been given. I have played two games already and need to keep building on that.”

With all his travelling around Europe, Edge has picked up several languages.

'It is quite crazy with all the people I have lived with. I have a big mix of languages. Slovakian is really similar to Czech, so that is helping me out a lot on-and-off the field, plus there is a Dutch guying playing here with me, so we speak Dutch together. I can speak Italian, so it is all a good experience.”

With uncle Declan and grandfather Eddie both former All White coaches, Edge was always a player to watch – and to aggressively mark – during his formative years.

At Tauranga Boys' College, he and best mates Ryan Thomas and Tyler Boyd set goals for the future that seemed far-fetched at the time for outsiders, but they have all gone on to play international football for New Zealand - Edge at under-17 and under-20 level with Thomas and Boyd making the All Whites.

They dreamed about lining up for the All Whites together when they were 12, playing in the Western Bay on frosty Saturday mornings.

'I got a taste of international football, so of course it is a goal of mine to play for my country,” Edge says.

'That was something I was thinking of coming to Slovakia and it puts me in the shop window. I just need to keep building on the start I have made and make some good steps for my own career and also for my national career with a new All Whites coach.

'I was fortunate to play in the last Under-20s World Cup in New Zealand. That was a really big event for me and I will remember that for the rest of my life.”

Edge is in regular contact with Boyd and Thomas who are playing for major European clubs – Boyd with Vitoria in Portugal and Thomas with PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands.

'I am always messaging them back and forth. Ryan has just had a little baby so I went and saw them a few times before I came over to Slovakia. It is great, and also the same with Tyler. We are all still good mates and keep in touch.

'Ryan has had a little setback with an injury but we are all trying to get him through that as best we can.”