The upcoming MLS Draft was already stocked with talent, but that talent pool will be a little deeper after Major League Soccer was able to sign one of its top targets.
University of Illinois-Chicago midfielder Baggio Husidic has signed a Generation adidas contract and will be available in the 2009 MLS Draft on Jan. 15, sources told Soccer by Ives on Friday night.
A 6-foot-1 Bosnian-born playmaker, Husidic has impressed pro scouts with his combination of size, speed and passing ability from central midfield and projects to be a mid-first round pick as the top attacking midfielder in the draft.
There had been rumors of Husidic planning a move back to Europe, but his agent, Patrick McCabe, stated a week ago that Husidic wanted to play in MLS. Now that he has signed, Husidic will be battling with UCLA midfielder Michael Stephens for the distinction of being the first attacking midfielder chosen in the draft.
Husidic joins a strong Generation adidas class that already includes Maryland defenders Omar Gonzalez, Rodney Wallace and midfielder Jeremy Hall, Akron striker Steve Zakuani, Cal goalkeeper Stefan Frei and Indiana defender Kevin Alston. Generation adidas targets Peri Marosevic and Michael Stephens had yet to sign as of late last week.
And for those of you wondering, Husidic is an American citizen, but is also eligible to play for Bosnia.
What do you think of Husidic signing with MLS? Where do you see Husidic being drafted? Which team would you like to see him go to?
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