PERS. INFORMATION
Name: Marat Galajevs
Date of birth: 13/12/2007
Place of birth: Riga, Latvia
Nationality: Latvian
Language: English and Russian
Club: Watford FC
Favourite position: LW, CAM, LWB
Favourite foot: Both footed
CLUB HISTORY
| Club | Years |
|---|---|
| Watford FC | Youth – |
| Royston Town FC | 2025 (on loan) |
INTERVIEW
Introduce yourself…
Hi! My name is Marat Galajevs. I’m from Riga, Latvia, and I speak both English and Russian. I currently play for Watford FC.
How important is your Latvian heritage to you personally and professionally?
My Latvian heritage is important for me because it’s where I was born, and where my family is from. Playing for the national team is a great sense of pride for me.
You joined Watford FC at a young age — what are your earliest memories of coming into the academy setup?
My earliest memories were definitely the national and international tournaments we had against the best teams in Europe. It was a great experience and really helped me develop as a player.
What was the biggest adjustment you had to make when entering the youth system?
I think it was just the repetitive cycle of going home from school and immediately getting ready to train. That balance between education and football. To be fair though, I loved football so much that it wasn’t too hard to adapt.
Also learning to control my emotions definitely helped, as I learned that reacting to mistakes negatively would only lead me to play worse.
What advice would you give to young players who want to join an academy?
My advice would be to work hard and enjoy the process. It won’t feel rewarding if you feel you are forcing yourself, so express yourself.
How important was your loan spell at Royston Town FC for your development?
It was very important. I’ve been at Watford for many years and this was a large step out of my comfort zone. New teammates, a men’s team environment, new coaching staff, and for the first time I had to prove myself to everyone completely from scratch. Add to that playing in front of passionate non-league crowds in small stadiums where 3 points are crucially important.
Did that experience toughen you up physically and mentally? In what ways?
Physically, I learnt just how important it is to be strong, quick and fit. Those 3 components dominate the men’s game, and it was very difficult for me to adapt in my first game. Mentally, learning to be my own man when I didn’t have a comfort zone to lean back on, to stand up for myself and to be myself on and off the pitch. It was a great experience for me.
Marat, you made your debut for Latvia’s U19 team at just 16 — what did that moment mean to you personally?
It was an insane moment for me. Our u19 team was so strong and to be such an important part of that team being the youngest player in the squad is a great accomplishment for me. The lads made me feel at home and I felt the trust from the coaching staff.
Would representing Latvia internationally be a major ambition for you?
It would mean the world to me, to play for my national team, and to remain an ever present figure in that squad for many years to come would be a very very proud accomplishment if I am able to achieve it.
