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European club eyeing Louisville star

 ColinRolfe (ISI)

 

University of Louisville striker Colin Rolfe was one of the top attacking players in college soccer last fall, and is expected to be the focal point of the Cardinals attack in 2011.

That is if he doesn't head to Europe first.

Sources tell SBI that Rolfe has garnered significant interest from Norwegian first-division side Fredrikstad after impressing during a week-long training stint with the club earlier this month.

A finalist for the 2010 Hermann Award, Rolfe helped lead Louisville to the NCAA Final and a Big East Championship, registering nine goals and seven assists as a junior. He currently projects as a first-round pick in the 2012 MLS Draft, and if he returns to Louisville in the fall the Cardinals are expected to be one of the leading contenders for the NCAA title.

While there is no word yet on a contract offer from Fredrikstad, sources say the club was impressed with Rolfe's one-week training stint with the club and could make him an offer this summer.

Comments

  1. looks like the 2012 Super Draft is shaping up to be a good one (regardless if Rolfe bolts to Norway), with the likes of Keyln Rowe, Dillon Powers, Sebastien Ibeagha and Soony Saad potentially available.

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  2. “you never know if a injury can take place and your carrer could end”

    which is exactly why he should cash out now and move to europe. he can always finish his degree later. why risk an injury playing for louisville without compensation for another season?

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  3. What is more amazing is that all three of these young men came from the same youth soccer club – Derby County/Michigan Wolves Soccer Club

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  4. Never heard of work permit issues anywhere in Scandinavia given you sign a pro contract.

    The US players can’t move to europe for work permit reasons excuse is void. ASAIK only UK is a problem. Some non-EU slot issues in some leagues, but there are still a whole lot of leagues and clubs where you can sign if you’re good enough no matter if you’re born in the US, Brazil or North Korea.

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  5. As a Louisville resident and UL soccer fan, I’m happy for the bright professional prospects of Horton and Rolfe, but this has the potential to be a hugely deflating offseason.

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  6. If I was him I would do one more year in college you never know if a injury can take place and your carrer could end. Always smart to have a back up plan.

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  7. If that develops, it would be the biggest Yanks Abroad news in years.

    I have very high hopes for them — Gatt, because he’s been so good, and Cunningham, because he plays LB….

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  8. Josh Gatt & Sean Cunningham (LB!). I’ve seen Gatt but not Cunningham. I imagine Gatt would be better off on a smaller club where he’d actually get minutes… unless SAF hates Nani that much

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