Parks and recreation in Lisbon: Keaton at NYCFC (on loan from Benfica)

Right Near The Beach, Boy-ee! Keaton Parks at Portimonense

 

This is great for Keaton, a chance to play in the 1st division is amazing. Transfermarkt is reporting the deal as finished.

Looking at the team's transfers, they seem to acquire the top talent in Portugal's 2nd Division. Wonder how this move will affect Parks' PT. I think many were waiting for a move in the summer, and this move has come as a surprise to a lot of us, including myself.

 

This is a very good deal for the lad. Portimonense are a yo-yo side, in that they get spells in D1 that last a few years (a deade in the 80s), which in the Portugese context means they are sure to be a selling club. If Keaton shows well in D1 and a good offer comes in, they won't stand in his way and he'll discover his ceiling very quickly.

Other Americans should consider this route. So should the Brits, and the Irish . . .

Based on what you've seen and read, do you think he could make it to Big 4 standard (Porto, Benfica, Sporting, Braga) or is he likely to peak a bit lower?

 

Which may well be a good thing. IIRC Rafael Honigstein saying that Frankfurt did more or less the same thing - collect the D2 all-star squad - when they came back up, instead of buying D1 cast-offs. They survived and and are have been slowly building a BL1 squad over the last 18 months.

 

Interestingly Portimonense were last relegated from D1 in 2010-11, and then had a horrible season in D2, being relegated to D3. Only financial problems at the D3 team that was to replace them saved them from that humiliation.

The D3 team?? None other than Varzim.

 

Portimonense are a pretty big club and have been a yo-yo club but have been investing in some great players like Amailton from União Madeira. 10 points clear they look in a great position also the manager has seen 10 clubs promoted from the Segunda Liga last season seeing Chaves get promoted


Good move and he gets to live in the Algarve

Come summer he is gonna need to invest in some sun tan protection the sun can get crazy there

 

Hopefully, come summer he will be playing in the U20 WC!

 

I'm with you on this being a great route. If nothing else, the Portuguese are tremendous spotters and developers of youth talent and I am sure they realize bargains are to be had shopping stateside. So the proverbial win-win.

As for his ceiling, I would say who knows at this point. I am as surprised as anyone that he got sold so quickly. So far his trajectory has been high school (and DA) to D2 U19, to B team, to A team bench, to A team starter, to D2 leaders and likely D1 next year, all in a little more than a year. He doesn't turn 20 until August and even with all this interest (on BS), he is still playing under the radar and on the cheap. If he can replicate his Varzim success at Portimonense, have a good U20 showing (if he is released) or, for example, a good showing in tomorrow's cup tie with Sporting, I could easily see a top 4 Portuguese side or a BL team come knocking. For marketing value alone, if nothing else - the kid couldn't look more wholesome and Apple Pie American if you wrapped him in Ole Glory!

 

I think I see the hype train off in the distance but it is definitely getting closer to the station.

 

It's been tried and hasn't really been great. Outside of the "big" clubs in Portugal, Americans have had a tough time getting paid there and have had to deal with sketchy owners. It was a big problem for Bjorn Johnsen. It was a bigger problem for Kenny Cooper who had to have family wire him money just to eat after months of not getting paid. Ditto Tony Taylor & Caleb Patterson-Sewell.

I do hope it works out for Keaton.

 

So this is a Dave Chappelle quote from Half Baked, btw, but you already knew that.

 

Uuuhmmmm... yeah, sure, I got it! That's the ticket...

 

Not to get too far off topic but isn't this what Leipzig did?

 

I just hope he goes where he continues to get starts. If that is only Varzim, let him stay there.

 

That's my worry. I'm all for a bigger move but don't want him joining a club that's going to have him on the bench. Kid needs to play and spending the rest of the year at Varzim, moving next summer may be in his best interest. If he gets guaranteed playing time at a team like Portimonense or a mid table Div 1 club like Maritimo, then by all means move on up young man. Either way he's taken a route many wouldn't, excelled and now reaping the benefits.

 

Varzim play Sporting Lisbon today in a cup match FWIW

 

My app says it's on GolTV. If that station still exists for anybody.

 

It should be available on firstrowsports.

 

GolTV channel 468 Directv. Standard Definition.

3:15 Texas time.

 

Don't bother watching it. He won't be playing. They took 19 and he's the 19th player.

 

Any idea why? Is it because he is out the door, or something else?

 

I think he's played his last game at Varzim.