Photo via BBC Sport

Premier League the goal in Just's unlikely journey

New Zealand international Elijah Just is targeting a place in the Premier League as Swansea City sit second in the Championship ahead of a weekend clash against Lincoln City. The 26-year-old midfielder, who realized a childhood dream by featuring for the All Whites at the World Cup 16 years following their 2010 campaign, joined Swansea in July after being connected with Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers.

Just started his development at age 14 with Porirua's Ole Football Academy, where he first crossed paths with current Swansea colleague Marko Stamenic. A successful month-long audition facilitated by academy ties earned him his first pro deal with Danish side Helsingor shortly past his 19th birthday, helping them secure promotion out of Denmark's third tier.

Following a top-flight stint with Horsens in 2022 that ended in relegation, and a 2024-25 loan spell in Austria's second division at SKN St Polten, Just moved to Motherwell 14 months ago; there, he registered seven goals in 35 Scottish Premiership fixtures reunited with manager Jens Berthel Askou and earned a nomination for Scottish footballer of the year.