Nick Markanich Charleston Battery USLCharleston Battery / GOAL

Charleston Battery's Nick Markanich, USL record goalscorer, bet on himself to earn his dream European move

There is a familiar sight in the USL these days. A lanky forward smashes the ball into the net, usually with his left foot, before cooly - almost too comfortably - jogging to the corner flag, raising his arms, and forming a heart with outstretched hands.

It has earned him something bigger, the Illinois native soon to move to Spain in a six-figure deal that will rank among the most expensive in USL history. It perhaps stands as proof that this league is a breeding ground for high level European talent.

“Everything’s really just been clicking this year,” Markanich told GOAL.