I ran across this article reporting from a test game for trialists with Ljungskile and noticed that someone named Patrick Hopkins had played the second half. No nationality mentioned so I googled the name and while I'm not 100% sure it seems pretty likely that it's this guy. Found him on wikipedia playing for Brisbane Wolves Football Club in Australia last summer. He also got a short mention in another Yanks Abroad thread. The article say that this was the only game planned but that some of the trialists will get a chance to continue training with the club. No word on which ones though.
(Hopkins is the first guy on the left) Well, apparantly he did impress and things have happened quickly. Ljungskile announce on their official site that they have signed Hopkins! Two year contract. The club comments: "Patrick has impressed us greatly during his time here and we believe he can turn into a big exclamation point for us this year. He's got a great attitude and will fit in well with us." I also found this blog written by Hopkins documenting his time in Australia.
Just read an article on the Hopkins signing from a local newspaper, apparantly he's been in Sweden ever since new years eve. Hopkins commented: "I've gotten a good impression of the club. Never been in Europe before but I'm liking it here." The manager commented: "We only needed one training session and a physical test before we decided to sign him. That's why there was no need for him to start in the test game a few days ago. He has studied spanish and can use both his feet so he will fit really well with our brazilian central defender." The article also states that it was former player Ryan Miller (now at Halmstad) who had recommended to the club that they bring Hopkins over for a trial.
So the tradition continues. LSK has at least had one yank i en the squad each season since 2008. Americans has been well appreciated over here and i hope that Hopkins will be a good signing. He scored 17 goals last season wtih Brisbane Wolves! I really looking forward to see what he can do on offensive cornes for LSK. Here is a video with his goals last year. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWsBf8VABSA"]Patrick Hopkins Goals + Assist - YouTube[/ame] Should we continue this in "The yanks at Ljungskile SK"-thread?
According to Wikipedia, there are two other Yanks at Brisbane Wolves; Patrick McMahon and Dew Jeskey. Jeskey appears to have been at Northern Illinois U, McMahon at U of Illinois.
Goal 4/14 vs. Falkenbergs: http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/falkenbergs-ff-ljungskile-sk/index/spielbericht_2294929.html Game winner 5/19 vs. Jonkoping (penalty): http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/l...ngs-soedra-if/index/spielbericht_2295006.html bungadiri - Patrick Hopkins at Ljungskile
2 goals in 5 games thus far this season. Patrick Hopkins@Patrick2HopkinsMar 23 Celebrating after our win against IFK Goteborg at Ullevi! On to the semi-finals! #iksirius… http://instagram.com/p/l5NNgyDN2R/ @iamalfred credits him with the "own assist" on this goal by fellow YA Bobby Warshaw today-
Now in the NASL: Canadian men's national team midfielder Kyle Bekker, former Columbus Crew forward Tom Heinemann, and former DePaul defender Patrick Hopkins have signed for the 2017 season. Pablo Dyego, of Brazilian club Fluminense, joins the Deltas on loan. ... Hopkins will be playing professionally in the United States for the first time since graduating from DePaul University. A center back that can also get forward and score, he spent the previous five seasons in Sweden with Ljungskile SK and IK Sirius Fotboll. Hopkins kicked off his professional career in 2011 with the Brisbane Wolves. At DePaul, Hopkins started 77 of his 79 appearances and was a four-time BIG EAST All-Academic Team honoree. http://www.nasl.com/news/2017/02/07/deltas-make-four-more-signings