Colin Burns

Early career

Colin grew up in Newark, Delaware and played his youth soccer with the Kirkwood Soccer Club. Burns also played in the Delaware Olympic Development Program (ODP) from 1994 to 2001. While playing for Delaware ODP, he was selected to the Region one team from 2000 to 2001 traveling with them to tournaments in France, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Burns played college soccer at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He began his professional career with a training stint with Motherwell FC in July 2005. He then trained for five months with Scottish club, Partick Thistle FC, from July to November 2005. He had trouble obtaining a work permit in Scotland so he left in November 2005 and returned to the U.S. Later on, he also had a training stint with French club Troyes AC.

Olimpia Bălţi

Burns returned to Europe in August 2006 to sign a one-year contract with FC Olimpia Bălţi in the Divizia Naţională, the top league in Moldova. He was named the first choice goalkeeper shortly after arriving in Balti. Colin made his professional debut against FC Dacia Chişinău in Stadionul Republican on September 9, 2006. Olimpia lost 1–0 in his debut but Burns was named man of the match for his efforts in the game. Burns played for eight matches for Olimpia before canceling his contract during the winter break due to the financial crisis of the club. Much of the football media regarded Burns as one of the top goalkeepers in the league during his short stay in…