Not quite sure I read it that way. If John Harkes were a UK citizen when Ian was born OR had "indefinite leave to remain," then Ian would be eligible for UK citizenship. I don't see any differentiation between descent or naturalization in the rules. When you do not need to apply You’re automatically a British citizen if you were both: born in the UK on or after 1 January 1983 born when one of your parents was a British citizen or ‘settled’ in the UK Your parent was settled in the UK if they had one of the following: indefinite leave to remain in the UK indefinite leave to enter the UK a permanent residence document (if they’re an EU citizen) You can apply for a UK passport instead, or ask for a letter confirming your citizenship. I looked through the British rules and John Harkes, born in the US in 1967, with a father (and I think mother) who emigrated from Scotland, should have been a UK citizen automatically. If that's the case, he should have been able to pass on citizenship to Ian right away. It's possible they didn't bother to do the paperwork, but seems pretty straightforward.
Hmm. I see your point. I have been working on passport applications so got my info slightly twisted have had had descent stuck in my head. Maybe it depends on whether John Harkes played in the UK on a British passport or a Work Permit. Splitting hairs I know but caseworkers love doing that. If it was a work permit, then he wouldn't have had indefinite leave to remain by the time Ian was born. The Home Office (whatever it is called this week) could argue that as his father was in the country on a work permit that is what is needed. As you said, it seems straightforward but it only takes 6 weeks or so to get a passport so I am not sure why they haven't done it before. There has to be more to it. As was said earlier. Ian Harkes has gone from having a British passport in January of 2017 to pursuing one. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...-trophy-winner-ian-harkes/?noredirect=on&utm_
This article says Scottish Championship side Dundee United has made an offer to him that he is mulling over. They're currently 3rd in the league and fighting for promotion to the top flight. Their owner, Mark Ogren, is American. https://www.pressreader.com/uk/daily-record/20190104/283588106488736
Catching up on recent tweets from Goff ... https://twitter.com/SoccerInsider "Three Scottish clubs {Dundee + 2 others} have taken a liking to former D.C. United homegrown MF Ian Harkes. MLS interest as well. D.C. United did not renew his contract but maintains league rights. Unclear where he will land." "Family lineage on father's side is Scottish. He was born in England and has a UK passport."
Can't validate the source, but take it for what it is: @dundeeunitedfc have agreed a 2 year deal with out-of-contract @dcunited midfielder Ian Harkes. He is the son of US legend John Harkes. The midfielder, 23, has flown into Scotland for his medical and to take in the Dunfermline game, alongside American owner Mark Ogren.— Scott Burns (@ScottBurns75) January 11, 2019
Goff mentioned it too so that’s validation Getting word @dcunited homegrown Ian Harkes has reached tentative agreement to join Scottish club Dundee United. DCU had not renewed his contract. Deal could be finalized soon. UK passport helped case. St Mirren, Hamilton and Dundee also showed interest.— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) January 11, 2019
Hamilton! Brings back memories -- specifically, these... https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/tom-parratt-hamilton-academical.402438/#post-9444527
Harkes flew to Scotland overnight and attended Dundee United's match today. Barring late issues, he will sign the contract Monday. Fresh start for young American.— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) January 12, 2019
Dumb question, but how did he do in DC? Obviously not that well if they didn't offer a new deal, but was he that bad or a victim of circumstances, numbers?
He was alright in 2017, but was replaced and surpassed by Durkin, Canouse, and Moreno throughout late 2017 and 2018. He's not a bad player; he just never did enough to be irreplaceable. I would expect him to do very well in the Scottish second tier, and if Dundee United wins promotion, I'd expect him to do pretty well in the top flight as well
It's official: WELCOME IAN HARKES | Dundee United Football Club https://t.co/J6BB1q8lJB #DUFC 🧡🖤 pic.twitter.com/viG2KbIWA7— Dundee United FC (@dundeeunitedfc) January 15, 2019 @TheFalseNine -- A new name, please?
I'm happy for him. Still, part of me wishes, for thread title purposes if no other reason, that he'd instead signed with the Scottish third-division club based in Methil, and was immediately given the armband. This is a good joke.
I'd like to think Harkes could have landed somewhere higher than the Scottish second divison. I thought he was pretty solid his first year in MLS in 2017, but he was boxed out of DC's rotation in 2018 as @ArsenalMetro pointed out. That said, Dundee United is pushing for promotion, so maybe he will end up in the Scottish Premiership next year, which seems like a good level for him. Does anyone have a good handle on MLS rules as it pertains to Harkes? I read above that DC still owns his rights despite declining his contract. What would have needed to happen for another MLS club to pick him up?
Even though Ian declined DC's offer and left on a free transfer MLS rules state that DC hold his player rights becuase they offerred the contract. Another mls team would have to trade for his rights in order to sign him. https://www.si.com/planet-futbol/20...es-acquisitions-flowchart-how-to-sign-players
Thanks! This is super helpful (and also, these rules are a bit jacked, but I won't take this thread off topic sharing my thoughts )
On the bench (or as it appears they say it in Scotland - ON THE BENCH): TODAY'S TEAM | SIEGRIST, BOOTH, FRANS, BOUHENNA, WATSON, STANTON, GOMIS, SMITH C, NESBITT, MCMULLAN AND SAFRANKO. SUBS: RAKOVAN, EDJENGUELE, CLARK ROBSON, AIRD, KING AND HARKES #DUFC 🧡🖤 pic.twitter.com/iybEuVFxNr— Dundee United FC (@dundeeunitedfc) January 19, 2019
Harkes comes on around the 70th minute and... GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLL UNITED! 4-0 DEBUT GOAL FOR HARKES GETINTHERE!!! #DUFC 🧡🖤— Dundee United FC (@dundeeunitedfc) January 19, 2019
A couple of nice bits from the Dundee summary: https://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/news/5908/Montrose-0-United-4.html "In 70 minutes, new signing Ian Harkes came on for Cammy Smith. The American was unlucky to see one of his first touches in a United shirt go over the bar, with his attempted volley rising above the Montrose goal. .... The icing on the cake came in injury time when debutant Harkes scored the fourth goal for United. Set up by McMullan, Harkes's left foot shot from close range capped off a debut to remember."
Includes video of the goal: Recent signing Ian Harkes enjoyed a memorable debut yesterday and progression into the 5th round of the #ScottishCup ⚽🙌 pic.twitter.com/41kQ3KiMTg— Dundee United FC (@dundeeunitedfc) January 20, 2019
Here are the full highlights from the match (the commentary is in a foreign language but you can see all the goals here: (Harkes' goal sequence begins at the 5:37 mark). On a related note, how long until Ian starts to develop a Scottamerican accent? My money is on two years.
Funny, because his dad actually developed an English accent during his years in the UK. Not sure how many posters here can still recall, but in the interviews John Harkes was giving during the 1994 World Cup his accent was at least as strong as the one Friedel picked up a few years later.