That is the situation new Western NSW recruit Cameron DeJong finds himself in.

The California native has a strong background of playing in semi-professional leagues, so both his National Premier Leagues 4 team and the six foot two central defender are excited over the new link.

"It's definitely always been my dream, ever since I was a little kid I've dreamed about exploring the world and football has taken me crazy places," DeJong said.

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"Australia is the furthest place I've been for soccer, so I'm definitely excited."

However, the coronavirus pandemic means that DeJong, who is living with coach Mark Rooke plus fellow Californian recruit Daniel Baumgartner, has only laced up his boots for his own training sessions thus far.

At this stage he will have to wait until at least June to play, with the current suspension of games and training to stand until at least May 31.

Training sessions with the full Western squad have been suspended as well during that period due to the virus.

"I got here literally the Friday before all the shutdowns started going. So I got here, I watched a match, I trained that Tuesday then on the Wednesday they announced the shutdowns," he said.

"It's unfortunate the situation at the moment, but you've got to look at the positives, it's more time to train and hopefully when the season gets going again I'm even more ready.

"At times it's monotonous, but I guess it can also be motivation because it's like 'Well I can't do anything else so I might as well go and train'."

While time spent on the training paddock with only his housemate Baumgartner certainly doesn't stack up to game time, DeJong does bring a host of skill and experience to his new team.

He represented his home town when playing for the Ventura Fusion, spent time with another California club in Oxnard Guerreros, and last season represented the Texas-based Laredo Heat.

DeJong also played showcase games as part of a Path To Pro team, one formed to give emerging talents the chance to prove themselves in front of professional scouts.

But in 2020 it is his new Western team-mates DeJong is keep to prove himself to.

He will have to adjust to Western's structures and tactics, but the 26-year-old is keen to do that and help the side climb back into the National Premier Leagues 3 competition.

"It's pretty motivating for me because I don't have that past connection with the team so to come in and be like 'Let's do better', I'm pretty motivated for that and I want to be able to prove myself," he said.

"I want to help the team out and get them back to where they should be.

"It's a different style of football to California, Daniel and I were talking about it and how we are used to a different style of play and different techniques, but it gives us a different outlook to how we approach the game. I guess you could say it adds a different piece to the puzzle."

Aside from his obvious assets, DeJong is a vocal defender who sees directing play as an important part of his job.

"I do talk a lot, like off the field I'm a pretty social guy, but on it I am a whole different kind of animal," he said.

"Especially in my position as a centre back I have to be one of the most vocal guys out there. You've got to control everything in front of you because you can see the entire pitch.

"Whether it's direction, those little things like move left, move right, constant communication goes a long way.

"Then in terms of the outlook of your opponent, it's definitely intimidating when you've got a six foot two centre back that just won't shut up."

DeJong also feels as if he has good insight when it comes to what rival strikers are planning. He began his footballing career playing further up the paddock trying to work out how to better defenders.

"It's like that old saying goes, offence wins games defence wins championships, I've always kind of prided myself on that," he said.

"Growing up I played striker and midfield for a lot of my career, so as I transitioned into a central defender, I feel like I have a better perspective on what a forward or striker has in their mindset.

"I can take what I've learned and apply it to my defensive role."

Western is current sitting in ninth position on the ladder with a loss and draw from the two rounds which were completed before the suspension of play. DeJong no doubt wants to climb.