by Greg Seltzer for Soccer365

Hunter Freeman has truly been a mobile wingback in 2008. He began the year in New York, took a brief Toronto detour, and now after spending a few weeks with new employers IK Start in Norway, is set to head back to the States for the offseason.

Of course, with new fans to please and a top flight promotion ticket already punched on arrival, the Texas native is counting the days until the Tippeligaen cranks back up in April.

"I am really looking forward to the challenge of next year, and definitely I am already anxious to get started," Freeman inadvertently punned to Soccer365.

For now, the 23-year old is soaking up his new surroundings - both on and off the practice field - to get a comfort head-start for next season.

"I will have spent three weeks here in Kristiansand by the time I leave," Freeman said. "It has definitely helped a lot by coming over before preseason and getting adjusted to how things are over here."

"The club has been extremely helpful, and I have already found a place to live and bought some furniture and things like that. So when I come back for preseason, I will already be settled, have my own place and not living out of a hotel, and will be able to concentrate 100% on football."

"I have trained with the team while I am here and it has been good to see how they go about things, and to get to know the guys on the team and vice-versa." 

It was a bit of a strange trip for Freeman, who sank down the Red Bulls depth chart right about the time coach Juan Carlos Osorio realized the youngster would bolt to Europe when his contract expired at year's end. He was banished to the bench, but still had time to work a seven-game stint north of the border after a trade to Toronto FC.

The regular U.S. youth international now has arrived to a foreign club with his own built-in American touchstone in fellow backliner Clarence Goodson, who enjoyed a tremendous first campaign with the risers after coming over from FC Dallas.

Goodson has now flown off for U.S. National Team duty, but served as welcome wagon when his compatriot arrived.

"Clarence was here for the first week of my stay," said Freeman "He did show me around while i was here, and has been a huge help so far."

While he can't directly tie his signing directly to Goodson's success, the two-sided fullback figures it probably led management to inspect MLS further.  

"I'm sure the fact that Clarence had a successful first year with Start certainly did not hurt the fact that they came to the US looking at players," surmised Freeman.

"I am not sure if it is the sole reason for their interest in me, but as with any team when you find success with something you tend to go back and see if you can find more." 

Things could change with Start searching for a new manager, but Freeman expects to be competing to work the right side of defense next season. Coach Arne Sandstø stepped down last week, just after the American joined team practice, but his two-way style should fit well in a team that scored nearly two goals per game with a +24 differential.

"I had one training session with the team and then the coach decided to quit later that day," Freeman stated. "So right now, the second team coach has been running our sessions until they announce a replacement. It is unfortunate that has been the case, but that is football, and hopefully the club can find a replacement soon."

"I believe their plan is for me to play right back," he divulged. "I know when they were scouting me and talking to me initially that is where they wanted me to play. So we will just have to see what the new coach's plans are and where I fit in."

Despite having little exposure to league play, the former Virgina Cavalier is confident from taking part in training that the squad have the goods to succeed in 2009.

"I think the club can do well in the top flight," asserted Freeman. "I have not had the chance to see much of our competition, but obviously every club begins the year with high hopes and strives to be successful.  I think that is no different here with Start, and once again, I am looking forward to the challenge."
 
"I am looking forward to playing in the Tippeligaen.  Obviously, with Start being promoted this year to the top flight it is a big year, and we are all hoping for success in the league."

What's more, the new man on campus knows that playing well in Norway can lead to interest from the stronger continental leagues.

"I think that there are a lot of eyes on this league from around the world, so if you do well, I think there can be many great opportunities as a player," said Freeman. "As a player you always want to be playing in the top flight and challenging yourself against the best competition."

In April, Hunter... in April.

Soccer365 reporter Greg Seltzer blogs daily over at No Short Corners.

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