Vancouver Whitecaps defender Sam Adekugbe is training with Brighton & Hove Albion for the next four weeks following the conclusion of the MLS season in North America.
London-born Adekugbe will train with Albion as part of his ongoing development, and the spell came about via chief executive Paul Barber's relationship with the Canadian club, where he had a spell as CEO.Barber commented, "It is not uncommon for MLS players to train with other clubs during the off season, and we are delighted to welcome Sam into the club for a period of time to experience English football.
"He's an articulate young man, and having come through Vancouver's youth system - known as the residency programme, and similar to our academy system - the club is very proud of his achievements.
"As he was born in England, it also makes it very easy for Sam to come over to the UK, as he has done previously, when training with Liverpool and Rangers."
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It is the third time that the 20-year old has spent time in the UK; last year he spent part of the off season with Liverpool and Glasgow Rangers.Adekugbe, who earned an MLS Team of the Week selection after his first league start of the season last March, made nine appearances this campaign for the Whitecaps, and appeared in all four of their CONCACAF Champions League matches.
Raised in Calgary, he has also made two senior international appearances, winning his first cap in Canada's 1-1 draw in a FIFA World Cup qualifying third round second leg match versus Belize on 8th September, followed by his second cap against Ghana in October.
Original article
London-born Adekugbe will train with Albion as part of his ongoing development, and the spell came about via chief executive Paul Barber's relationship with the Canadian club, where he had a spell as CEO.Barber commented, "It is not uncommon for MLS players to train with other clubs during the off season, and we are delighted to welcome Sam into the club for a period of time to experience English football.
"He's an articulate young man, and having come through Vancouver's youth system - known as the residency programme, and similar to our academy system - the club is very proud of his achievements.
"As he was born in England, it also makes it very easy for Sam to come over to the UK, as he has done previously, when training with Liverpool and Rangers."
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It is the third time that the 20-year old has spent time in the UK; last year he spent part of the off season with Liverpool and Glasgow Rangers.Adekugbe, who earned an MLS Team of the Week selection after his first league start of the season last March, made nine appearances this campaign for the Whitecaps, and appeared in all four of their CONCACAF Champions League matches.
Raised in Calgary, he has also made two senior international appearances, winning his first cap in Canada's 1-1 draw in a FIFA World Cup qualifying third round second leg match versus Belize on 8th September, followed by his second cap against Ghana in October.
Original article