In a press conference after the team's training session in the II League, on the pitch of Campo Cruz do Reguengo, in Vila Verde, the forward, who only played college football in the United States (USA) over 20 years ago, explained that the opportunity to come to Portugal came about because he is a friend of the SAD owner, Canadian Adrian Johansson.

Asked to clarify whether he had invested in the Minho SAD, Courtney Reum explained that he had not, but that this is a possibility in the future -- "all options are on the table".

"This is the beginning of what could be an investment. For me, investment means money, of course, but also time: I'm here, showing myself, and it also means advice and experience. I started some very successful companies in the US, I invested in hundreds, and I think there is a lot I can add in terms of business. Being the oldest person in the dressing room, older than the coach, I hope I can help," he said.

The American said what his goal was for coming to Portugal: "To train, maybe to play, it's all part of the beginning of the journey: I wouldn't leave my great life in Los Angeles and all my companies if I didn't have serious intentions about the future".

He said he wants to help the team stay in the II League and, in the medium term, help them reach the top tier of national football, adding that a possible relegation to the III League would hinder this intention.

"If the team goes down -- and I am confident and hopeful that they will stay in the II League -- that will not stop me from being involved. There are many other things that we would need to talk about, but not for this season. Of course I want to stay in the II League, but it takes time to build a team or a company. For me, it's a multi-year project to reach the I League, which is not going to happen this year or next year. I think it could be in a five-year plan, if we do things right. I'm not the owner, but I would like to be a part of it," he said.

Länk Vilaverdense, last-placed in the II League, will host Torreense on Sunday, in the 32nd round, in Coimbra.

Regarding his ability to play, he noted that he is not 25 years old, but stressed that he now understands the game better.

"I try to be in good shape, I was faster when I was younger, but I can be competitive and add value. I'm getting ready to play, I feel stronger every day," he said.

Claiming to know Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes or Pepe -- "he is almost my age" -- the American said he knows the history of Portuguese football and clubs like Sporting, FC Porto and Benfica, and recalled Portugal's matches against the US team in world championships.

His personal trainer, Englishman Phil Walsh, who came with a team that is preparing a documentary about the businessman, said that Courtney Reum is a forward with a goal.

"He is a goalscorer, he has a natural instinct for it, an energy and a winning mentality," he said.

In the future, Courtney Reum does not want to be a coach, but rather to be involved in the business area, giving the example of Ryan Reynolds, a well-known Canadian actor who invested in the Welsh club Wrexham, currently in the third English tier.

"But Ryan Reynolds isn't playing. I think he should try playing for Wrexham or maybe we could have a game at the end of the season between the two teams," said the brother-in-law of American businesswoman Paris Hilton, heiress to the Hilton hotel chain.