On Wednesday it was announced the 17-year-old shot-stopper from Shepparton had signed on the dotted line for a three-year senior contract with Melbourne City.
The news comes less than a week after fellow Goulburn Valley Suns export Alou Kuol penned a move to German giant VFB Stuttgart at the end of the season.
Though thrilled to take the next leap in his fast-moving football career, Nieuwenhuizen said there was a fair amount of shock value attached when the big wigs came knocking.
“At first I was a little bit surprised — I didn't see it coming because I'd just signed an NPL contract at the start of the season,” he said.
“Once you see the numbers they're paying you, you realise you have to really perform. But it is awesome to finally be rewarded after all the hard work I've put in.”
Nieuwenhuizen accepted the deal alongside fellow teenage gloveman Ahmad Taleb.
Melbourne City director of football Michael Petrillo hinted at the pair's potential, eluding to the sort of prosperous future both had in store at the club.
“Ahmad and James are two of the best young goalkeepers in the country and we are really pleased to sign them both to longer term contracts,” Petrillo said.
“We believe that both have the ability to step up and become a part of the senior A-League squad.”
As far as ceilings are concerned, it appears Nieuwenhuizen isn't limited to one.
His latest bound comes a year after selection in the under-16 Australian side, and since November, the 17-year-old has been training with City's A-League outfit.
Which was nothing short of a shake-up, at first.
“It was crazy,” he said.
“You try your hardest, but everyone is that much quicker and the shots are that much harder. After a while you start to get used to it, but it was a bit of a reality check at first.
“Overall it is a really professional set-up with all the videoing and stuff — it's almost scientific.”
Nieuwenhuizen admitted despite the glamour of elite level sporting commitments, his mum Lindy still keeps on his case to ensure the schoolwork is done.
After all, he's hours away from home.
But he hasn't forgotten about where it all began — the Goulburn Valley Suns.
“The Suns really helped me — I often played two games on a Saturday and we were never going to win the league, so there were always shots coming at me which was great for my development,” he said with a laugh.
“There were people like David Davkovski, Tommy Giuliani, Shaban Mehmet then later on there was Craig Carley and Billy Marshall.
“Without those guys, I don't think the development of football in Shepparton would be anywhere near where it is at the moment.
“Mum and Dad have also been really big influences in my success — I can't even begin to imagine how much money they've spent on petrol for me.”
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