As far as a new chapter in a career goes, it does not seem that Seb Hines has taken a backward step. The Middlesbrough defender is now a team-mate of Brazilian superstar Kaka, in Orlando. In an exclusive interview, Hines explained to Steve Brenner his reasons for giving the United States a go

THE Florida sun was beating down and Seb Hines was sweating profusely.

In the distance Kaka , the former world footballer of the year , was greeting friends and family with a hug at Orlando City’s plush new training facility.

The man who once cost nearly £60m shows some moments of pure quality in a series of short, one touch practice matches as preparation for the Friday night match-up with Houston moves up a notch.

The Samba star has still got it. In all honesty, he predictably looked a class apart.

The boy from Wetherby though, on a six month loan, didn’t look out of place either. Far from it.

At the side of the training pitch, coach Adrian Heath was addressing an increasingly attentive local media who have already been bitten by the football bug after just one match.

The sight of 62, 000 frenzied fans ram packing the brilliantly renovated Citrus Bowl last Sunday for the opening day 1-1 draw with fellow new MLS franchise New York City FC has energised everyone involved.

It was a little bit different to an afternoon down by the Riverside.

Everything about Orlando City – aka the Lions - is roaring right now, Hines included.

His debut on Sunday at center-half was hugely promising. He managed to keep City quiet. No mean feat, considering he was up against former Barcelona and Spain striker David Villa.

Following a succession of injury setbacks and changes in management on Teesside, the 26 year-old knew a fresh start was needed. Being tossed into the lions’ den following a loan spell at Coventry City was just what the doctor ordered.

And when it comes to new challenges, they don’t get more intriguing than what former Everton and Stoke midfielder Heath is trying to build in the Sunshine State.

Out of work and down on his luck after failing to turn a caretaker role at Coventry into a permanent one back in 2007, the 46 year-old became disillusioned with the English game.

A pre-season tour with the Sky Blues had taken him to the American football hotbed of Portland. Heath saw how the beautiful game was growing over the pond and instantly wanted in.

Yet it wasn’t until a chance meeting in a Newcastle-under-Lyme pub with the Texas based, British businessman Phil Rawlins, a former Stoke director, that Heath’s dream began to take shape.

Rawlins , who made his money after founding and developing a highly successful IT sales and marketing consulting company , wanted to build a new club Stateside and, through agent Gary Mellor, signed Heath to boss a side in Texas. The Austin Aztecs, who were playing in the USL Pro which is effectively the third tier of US soccer, were born. Putting down roots in cowboy country wasn’t the answer though.

So Rawlins had a brainwave. Soon enough he transplanted his club to Florida, a vast state where football has tried (Miami Fusion were the last MLS franchise in the area but folded in 2002) and failed in the past.

Heath led the club to titles and championships. Yet financial muscle was needed to take a spot at the top table. The shift was accelerated thanks to the money and business know-how of Brazilian millionaire Flavio Da Silva. Having made his money selling his hugely popular language schools in his homeland, Da Silva ticked all the boxes.

Just nine months after his arrival in February 2013, Commissioner Don Garber – who had already rejected Rawlins once - finally granted the club MLS status.

Orlando, with Disneyworld, sunshine and all, is the No 1 tourist destination for Brazilians who wouldn’t need a second invitation to go and watch some football. And when the new owner called up his old friend Kaka and enticed him to the Citrus Bowl with a cool £5m deal – the 32 year-old is the highest paid player in the League– interest went through the roof.

Hines, who sealed the move from Teesside last month, didn’t think twice – even if wife Kirstie had just given birth to his fourth child and he was turning his back on his beloved Teesside for good.

If he impresses, a contract could be in the offing.

That’s something the 26-year-old , who has recently been joined in Florida by former Boro defender Sean St Ledger, is desperate for.

Crucially, through his American father, Hines doesn’t take up one of the allocated spots for foreign players which adds to his suitability moving forward.

“The timing was quite difficult considering our latest arrival but the wife knows I am coming here for work and hopefully she will join me out here soon. She has been so supportive, more than amazing,” he told the Northern Echo in an exclusive interview Stateside.

“It has been fantastic so far. The way the whole city have embraced what the owners are trying to do here has been brilliant.

"I have spoken to my friends back in England, they said they were going to put pressure on me by watching the game but a lot of my old team-mates would love the chance to come out here and I am just so grateful that I have been given this opportunity.

"I think more English lads will come over here. It's not every day you get the chance to play against someone like David Villa or play with Kaka. To do that in my first game was amazing. That is a real selling point.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better start and, of course, it’s up to Orlando, but I hope to stay out here when my loan finishes. But I will never forget Middlesbrough and what the club did for me.

“They gave me my first chance in the game and I owe them so much for hanging onto me for all those years. But I was being eased out of the team and it was right to move on so I could play some football.

“I’ll never forget Gareth Southgate giving me my debut in the FA Cup against Hull. It was an amazing experience. I scored a goal playing left-back. It was the best moment in my career.

“Coming through the ranks with Matthew Bates, David Wheater, Adam Johnson – we had a brilliant crop of kids and winning the FA Youth Cup in 2004 was also so special. The club were in Europe and you only had to look around the changing room and be inspired.

“To be training and playing with the likes of Mendieta, Woodgate, Huth - they taught me a lot. Once there was a massive change at the club though it became harder for me. They are going places this year and I really hope they get back into the Premier League.

“I want to stay here though and turn the loan into a permanent move. I love it, everyone really gets on with each other and that shows on the pitch.”

So how’s it been swapping toiling in League One for becoming pals with a World Cup winner like Kaka?

The Brazilian scored a last gasp equaliser in that opening match against Manchester City's American experiment to become even more popular - if that was humanely possible.

“He has been terrific,” Hines added. “When you have a guy like Kaka , you have to raise your game, everyone wants to be on his level. You don't want to disappoint him.

"That can only help the team. He has made everyone feel welcome and is a really nice guy. That showed when he scored and everyone celebrated with him.”

Mickey Mouse may be just down the road but keep your eye on Orlando, Hines and his new Brazilian friend. They could become the main Orlando attractions before too long.