STEVE Colwell achieved what almost every football fan dreams of during his time in the off season, as he travelled to Brazil for the first two weeks of this year’s World Cup.

The Weymouth midfielder, who has penned a one-year non-contract deal with Weymouth for next season, visited the hot spots of São Paulo, Belo Horizonte and Rio de Janeiro during his time in South America.

He also secured tickets to watch Belgium’s 2-1 victory over Algeria in Group H, on the road to their quarter-final showdown with Argentina later today (5pm).

But Colwell had his own experience of playing abroad and that is how his Brazilian adventure came to fruition.

“It was an amazing experience,” the Terras’ man told Echosport.

“Two years ago when I was playing in New York for Brooklyn Knights, I ended up being friends with one of the lads out there, since we’ve been back we have met up a couple of times and we arranged to go out to Brazil.

“He had a friend who he met in New York who we could stay with. We went to São Paulo, Belo Horizonte and Rio de Janeiro and it was awesome.

“We watched Belgium against Algeria and it was an unbelievable experience, which for me was definitely the highlight.

“We were in São Paulo for the England v Uruguay game as well, I went there with about £400 in my pocket trying to get a ticket and we got there three or four hours before kick-off.

“There were even people there with signs saying they needed tickets, I didn’t have a sign or anything but it was just impossible to get one, in hindsight I’m glad I didn’t.”

With his World Cup adventure behind him, Colwell returned for pre-season training with the Weymouth squad earlier this week in preparation for the Terras’ Southern Premier League campaign.

“Obviously I came in halfway through last year so I am looking forward to a full season and I am really comfortable at the club knowing most of the lads,” he added.

“Jason (Matthews) has made some strong signings this year and it makes me want to start even more. Everyone will be thinking that and, with a bit of luck, it will make the team stronger.”

One of the summer signings Colwell cannot wait to reunite with in the middle of the park is new Terras’ midfielder Shane Krac.

He said: “Shane is a very good pal of mine, we speak a lot and used to play together at Bodmin where we both performed well.

“It’s one thing playing with a team-mate but when you are playing with one of your best mates it makes it that much better, so I am definitely looking forward to playing with Shane again.”