KUALA LUMPUR: Young and upcoming American football player Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal, who is of Malaysian heritage, is about to make history by being the first player with Malaysian ties and blood to feature in Major League Soccer (MLS).
The youngster, who has been nicknamed the ‘American Messi’, is almost certain to join a top team that competes in the Western Conference, Sporting Kansas City, with the latest development announced via the team’s official website in the wee hours of this morning (Saturday).
According the statement, Sporting Kansas City signed Wan Kuzain, who is a former academy player of the team, on a contract as a homegrown player up to 2020 with the option to extend the contract up to 2021 or 2022.
With the recruitment of the 19-year-old, he becomes Sporting Kansas City’s ninth homegrown player in the team’s history.
Sporting Kansas City manager, Peter Vermes admitted that the midfielder has the necessary qualities, attitude and mentality needed to become a key player for the team in the future.
“Kuzain came up through the ranks at our academy and he has blossomed quite rapidly into a fine player.
“He reads the game very well and knows his role as well as the model of our game and we are confident he can perform at the highest level with distinction,” said Vermes.
Meanwhile Kuzain was obviously happy after joining the team which he likened to a dream becoming a reality.
“I am very excited and thankful for the opportunity given by Sporting Kansas City. It is a dream come true for me which is what all young and upcoming players look forward to.
“It is also wonderful to be a part of this team especially since I myself came up through the ranks at the team’s academy, and now I have finally made it to the senior team,” said Kuzain.
After joining the Sporting Kansas City academy in 2016, he signed an academy contract with Swope Park Rangers that same year before earning a professional contract with the same team the following year.
Kuzain has also trained with the United States Under-17 squad as well as top Dutch club Feyenoord three years ago.