I believe that makes three: http://www.achtzehn99.de/spielerportrait-u17/3099 He's a '95 from Pennsylvania. Has been in residency and played with the U17s and other YNTs.
They even give his "Sternzeichen" - Zwilling! But this begs the question - how does a 15 year old American end up in Germany?
I'm guessing one of his parents has a job that is located within 50km of the Hoffenheim Academy. The father of that one young kid who Barca really liked is trying to get a job out there to get his son into their academy.
Here he is (in Germany) being interviewed by Jim Curtin. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77GAmCwxMpM"]YouTube - Interview - TSG Hoffenheim Academy player Russell Canouse[/ame]
No. Russell's dad works for SAP in Germany. He is very good. I saw him last year at Hoffenheim training. I am going to see him and Fabian next week.
Since we don't have a "Retired Yanks, who are abroad" forum, I'll ask here. What's Jim up to these days?
He was at Hoffenheim to learn about their youth development. YSC is based in Philadelphia and they are trying to take soccer to the next level in the US. Jim is with YSC. Look it up the place is amazing. I also saw Claudio R. at Hoffenheim with the youth directors trading ideas a few months ago.
Is he still at Hoffenheim? I saw him on the RBNY academy roster. However their site is out of date; they still have Agudelo. http://www.redbullsacademy.com/academy/rosters/players.aspx?RosterID=4
Canouse has started and played 90 minutes in each of Hoffenheim U17's first 3 games where they've gone unbeaten, winning 2 and drawing 1.
Called up to the U-18s http://www.ussoccer.com/News/U-18-M...Perez-Names-Roster-for-Lisbon-Tournament.aspx
http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/...-signs-with-bundesliga-club-hoffenheim-060412 Russel signed a pro deal and will be moving up to u-19 at Hoffenheim. He became the u-17 captain in six months after being there. He was the Hoffenheim academy player of the year.
I was just about to post this. He sounds like a prospect to look forward to but the article mentions he's another defensive mid. Hopefully he develop beyond that into another position(s)
He's still 16. He's not eligible for the u17s next year but will be one of the youngest u19s at the club, if not the youngest. This means they like him. The article quoted the academy director as saying he is one of the top prospects in the academy and will be in for first team minutes if he continues to work hard.
It's rather unusual for a minor, since it's illegal according to league rules (a player has to be 18 to sign a pro contract). In other words: probably a mistake in translation. He probably has signed an amateur contract. He would still get some money (all U-23 and U-19 players of pro clubs get payed, to different degrees, usually), but officially he is not a professional.