Sophomore midfielder Cameron Cook found a home away from home nearly 5,000 miles from his own with the San José State men’s soccer team.  

Two years ago, Cook moved from Milton Keynes, England, to San José, California, to play for the SJSU men’s soccer program and study for a degree in business. 

In just his sophomore year, Cook has played 2,394 minutes over his two seasons, appearing in 34 matches in the 2024 and 2025 seasons and scoring 31 goals in those games.

He started playing soccer at 4 years old on a Sunday league team back home in England.

Soccer has always been a part of Cook’s life. His uncle and grandfather both played professionally in the past, and his dad, who loves the sport, always made it a part of his life. 

“It’s a cultural thing. Everyone plays soccer, whether you continue that or not when you’re older, but when you’re younger, it’s just like a universal thing everyone plays,” Cook said.

At age 8, Cook signed on to play for Milton Keynes Dons Football Club, his local professional team, where he spent eight years developing in their system.

Milton Keynes Dons currently competes in the English Football League (EFL) League Two, which is a lower tier of England’s professional football system, according to the MTF90 website.

When Cook’s last season with MK Dons came to an end, he did an exit trial.

A couple of big games were organized for athletes, including himself, where scouts locally and internationally got a chance to watch them play. 

“It basically gives you a second chance,” Cook said.

SJSU head coach Simon Tobin was in attendance at these games and scouted Cook.

“He came to my house and came to visit my parents to kind of reassure them because I think it was a bigger thing for my parents than it was for me,” Cook said. “The fact that their child was about to move to the other side of the world.” 

Cook’s parents’ main worry upon deciding whether California was the right place for him was the environment he would be entering.

“For me personally, it was kind of just like, am I gonna get along with the boys?” Cook said. “Because it’s a very big culture difference.” 

At first, Cook never saw himself living in America, describing the stereotypes of soccer there as “rubbish” and below the standard of the rest of the world.

Coach Tobin gave Cook and his parents the reassurance they needed to know he was making the right choice.

“I trusted him and took his word for it,” Cook said. “And since I came out here, there is not much difference. There is so much talent out here.”

With several awards already, Cook has made a name for himself in the program.

He won the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Top Play in November and was named to the 2024 WAC All-Freshman Team and 2024 WAC All-Tournament Team.

He also placed No. 64 on TopDrawersSoccer’s Top 100 Freshman list after the 2024 season and was named 2025 All-WAC Academic.

Cook said his personal awards are a reflection of the team.

“I feel like there are a lot of us who have won awards for the last two years. I definitely want to achieve more,” Cook said.

There are many things Cook said he likes about living in the United States, with one of them being the food.

“I do love In-N-Out (Burger),” Cook said. “Obviously, the foods are amazing, especially being in San José. The big Hispanic culture out here, the Mexican food (is) amazing.”

Cook said the community has made the biggest effect on his journey.

“Everyone was very welcoming,” Cook said. “That meant a lot to me at the start because obviously it’s not like a God-given right that people are going to welcome me here. It was just very nice for them to welcome me into their environment.”