Photo by ISIphotos.com
Two of the best players in the U.S. national team youth system will be taking their development to Europe.
ESPN.com's Justin Rodriguez is reporting that Charles Renken and Joseph Gyau (pictured) will be joining the 1899 Hoffenheim youth academy. The story mentions multi-year contracts for both, but it should be noted that FIFA bylaws do not permit players younger than 18 to sign binding professional contracts outside of their home countries.
The agreement will mean that Gyau and Renken will split time between the Hoffenheim academy and the Vancouver Whitecaps residency school for the next year.
Gyau, 16, and Renken, 15, are two of the best players on the current U.S. Under-17 national team and have been hotly pursued by several European clubs.
What do you think of this development? Excited to see two more young American prospects having the chance to develop in Europe? Think Gyau and Renken are destined for stardom?
Share your thoughts below.
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exiting! gud luck to him..
Thanks Tomasz.
Awesome news for USMNT, Hoffe and me! Hoffe has one of the finer youth systems in the world believe it or not. It’s not Ajax or Bayern, but it’s top notch.
Have long been a HUGE FC Bayern fan, but now that two young Yanks are plying their trade down the road from me in Heidelberg (Hoffenheim is only a 20 minute drive), I will be spending time Hoffe junior matches.
Auf gehts Hoffe und Gyau und Renken schiese ein Tor!
Just read Seattle_Coug’s comment. Quite agree.
Soccer is still a developing sport in this country. Let it develope at its own pace.
Guys,
Stop whining about getting MLS to sign these kids.
An MLS team has revenues of about $15 Million and expenses of about $17 Million.
They cannot afford to pay “european wages” to every 15-year-old prodigy (of which most won’t pan out).
To have every young prospect sign at a competitive wage in MLS, it would add millions to the team’s budget for players that won’t add a dime to the bottom line.
If they fail to develope, its a waste of money (presumably they’ll make far more in Europe’s developmental salaries than in MLS developmental salaries).
If they succeed, they’ll be pushed to go to Europe for higher wages anyway (which may or may not involve a trasfer).
Stop pretending MLS can compete with Europe.
There isn’t the market for the sport they there is in Europe. That means MLS can’t compete for choice prospects (aside from the Adu debacle) any more than they can for top players (a la Messi and Ronaldo).
Let Europe develope them for free and stop whining.
Good luck to the kids.
Off topic,…but I would like to bring it up since we are talking about youth players. Set out below is an excerpt from an articel from CNNSI regarding the Nigerian U-17 team:
“Nigeria has dropped 15 players after MRIs found them to be older than the allowed age for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, which the country will stage in October.
Nigeria Under-17 coach John Obuh disclosed that the affected players have been decamped, leaving him with 23 other players who fall within the allowed age.
The players dropped are Kabiru Borgo, Abiodun Akanda, Ariyo Olubukola, Habeeb Bello, Deji Joel, Yakubu Azeez, Ogungbe Ganiyu, Orji Kalu, Justice Chinedu, Chinedu Udegha, Amadi Moses, Solomon Enudi, Dubem Awaziem, Esse Joseph Junior and Olaitan Gambari.
Nigeria federation president Sani Lulu insisted that the country will still raise a formidable team for the World Cup in October.
“We have about 38 players in camp, some of them failed [the age test],” Lulu said. “[That] does not mean that we do not have a team that will represent us at the World Cup or that we have a crisis. We still have a good team.”
Nigeria has won the Under-17 tournament three times, in 1985, 1993 and 2007.
For this year’s competition, the team is drawn against Germany, Argentina and Honduras in the first round.”
Now, I have often said that I had my doubts about Freddy Adu’s real age and that I always found it curious that African teams did extremely well in FIFA youth tournaments but that success didn’t translate into first team success.
In my mind, this confirms what I have always suspected,….African youth national teams are fielding overage players in youth tournaments,…plain and simple. Birth certificates are works of fiction in Africa. Getting back to Freddy Adu,…maybe he is really 22 or 23 and European teams know this and know that his success at the youth level was simply based on the fact that he was more mature then the players he was competing with and against.
Here is the link to the article that 49ers mentioned.
http://youngguns.wordpress.com/2008/09/16/arsenal-join-the-chase-for-new-freddy-adu-renken/
Not surprised. The talent we have in our youth system is the best we’ve ever had collectively. Not sure what’s in the water these days, but in four years our men’s national team will be stronger than ever.
For those of you who think the MLS stinks and yet are USMNT fans just think of the current players who started (and who grew as players) in the MLS. I’ll start with just a few like Bradley, Howard, Bocanegra,Donovan,Dempsey,etc. If FIFA has this rule than no one can sign a binding contract until they are 18 years old except to sign within your own country how did this happen? The comments knocking Mr. Garber and the MLS for not allowing the teams with academys to sign the players they develop is right on. One last comment on those that think only Europe can develop the US player think of all those who have gone that route and have failed. The reason maybe such things as can’t speak the language, being away from home, not growing up and realizing they have to fight for a position on the field every day at practice etc. Europe is not the be all and end all so until Brazil falls think again.
If Wilmer Cabrera alienates either of these kids, eff that man. He is known to be a guy that only plays his guys.
Does anybody think either of these guys will ever appear for the full USMNT?
For those of you whining about how MLS fell down on not signing them, how do you propose they go about this? Where would the money come from? You’d be asking top tier talent to sign their rights away to the league, who as we’ve seen from the Mandon situation has no basic understanding of players’ interests, for peanuts compared to what they can get elsewhere, and to essentially stunt their growth. Our futbol system is nowhere near as developed as Europe’s in terms of player development. Your argument applied to basketball would then have any number of high school basketball stars signing up with a team in the Israeli or Italian league for further development (which I guarantee 9,999/10,000 they would regress) instead of staying in the HS/AAU system. Get a clue and realize we’re still a developing league who on its current path will likely never mirror the euro leagues. Just like the Greek league will never truly compete with the NBA but from time to time collects an upper level talent, MLS will likely plateau. Maybe they become a feeder like Greece, but the system to develop talent simply isnt in place, so get off Garber’s back (at least on this issue, there are tens of others to hammer him on).
Dominghosa, you need to have lived in Germany for at least 8 years to get German citizenship – and the German authorities are very strict on that matter. In other words, German citizenship is not a topic and I don’t know of any young foreign player who joined a German youth academy and was subsequently naturalized.
Dzeko has never been a part of Hoffenheim’s system. And he currently plays for Wolfsburg.
I believe you mean Ibisevic, who didn’t join Hoffenheim until 2007.
Big swoop for Hoffemheim, who had (and must have) a very well laid out plan for these two young guns.
They won’t get playing time soon on the first team, players from a different country cannot play on the first team until they’re 18.
But maybe they’ll get their citizenship sooner, who knows.
I do know there is no way Renken and Gyau are going to play for another national team than the U.S. (For the same reasons already explained by others.)
Hoffenheim’s owner has very deep pockets and has thrown millions into its youth program. So it bodes well that they were interested enough in Gyau and Renken to sign them at their age.
Both players have been looked at by several big Euro clubs, yes, including Arsenal.
Hopes and dreams have been thrown upon Renken since he was 12. But with those knee injuries, that have tempered. Here’s hoping Renken recovers well and has a great career. Before the latest injury, he was a hel l of a player.
Gyau needs to grow. Can’t have another Adu situation.
hey guys,
hoffenheim is a great fit for these guys. The great Bosnian duo Msimovic and Dzeko followed the same path as our boys and now look at them–both coveted by the top teams in the world–both making millions at Hoffenheim. Also, Hoffenheim is not really small-time any more. Their owner is rich as sin and he paid major bank to keep the entire team there.
Hoffenheim has one of the best youth academies in Germany (behind Stuttgart and ahead of Bayern IMO). Hoffenheim’s youth teams play in the U-17 and U-19 Bundesliga – those youth leagues are based on promotion and relegation as well. Last year Hoffenheim’s U-17 won the German Championship. Some of the players are now in Hoffenheim’s senior squad. The boys will get a good school education as well.
Can someone explain what Vancouver has to do with Hoffenheim? Why don’t they just stay in residency in Bradenton until they can go to Hoffenheim? Bradenton is far superior to anything Vancouver has.
Posted by: M | August 25, 2009 at 02:54 PM
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Did you even bother reading the article? It explains very clearly the connection. As to why Gyau is not in residency, its rumored he has had a falling out with the coaching staff. And also, Vancouver has a solid rep as far as their residency program.
The people who are saying “cap them now” knowing that these players are 15 and 16 are either (A) joking or (B) mentally retarded
1st Philip Gyau, Joseph’s father, was born in the US and played for the USMNT so to me I would doubt there is any way he is going to play anywhere besides the USMNT. The main point is these are kids, and young kids too. They are a long way away from playing on the full team. Going to Europe to progress as players is great and 1899 do have a great academy. Before people start calling for “Cap them now” lets see how they end up when they are 17-19. If they are playing in the first team at that point (even fringe players) then you think about capping them. These boys are more for the 2014 cycle.
freddy wouldnt go on loan to hoffenheim because freddy wouldnt see the field at hoffenheim
Why would splitting time with Vancouver make this OK if they need to stay in their home countries?
Is FIFA aware that Vancouver is not in America?
Kingsnake: may I ask why you continue to lie about MLS salaries? yes, lie. (in case you don’t know, a lie is saying or writing something that you know to be untrue. you have been corrected time and time again about the base salary in MLS, but you continue to insist that the number is $12,900. Can you find a single player in MLS, (in 2009, natch) playing for $12,900 for the duration of the season?) in fact, the minimum for a senior player is $34,000 (in case you’re wondering, the average salary for a 22 year old college graduate in the US is $30,000 so the MLS minimum is actually MORE than that. of course, maybe they are Developmental Players, basically interns. The minimum salary for one of those is $20,900. which is, of course, a full 70% higher than the number you keep citing.
I get that you hate MLS, and are eager to see ticket prices go up. that’s fine. but can you stop lying about the basic facts? thanks.
After hearing about the youth setup at this club and it’s willingness to promote players to the (successful) first team, I agree it’s a real solid decision by these two. Sticking together will really help combat the ‘loneliness birds’ for a young American in Germany.
Although no one or two player moves is enough to declare that MLS is losing the battle of signing or retaining talented youth, I think (and thought so before this) that MLS is needlessly handicapping itself in this war for talent. Garber should allow individual teams to sign young players and retain reserve teams (if they so choose and at that team’s expense) with the right to promote them to the 18-man senior roster at any time. Ultimately, the training wheels of single entity must be dismantled for teams to compete in the worldwide war for talent. A move like this would be the youth development equivalent of the designated player rule. Boom.
Why doesn’t Freddy Adu go on loan to a team like Hoffenheim?
video on the Altidore goal?
off topic. . . Altidore scored for Hull in a Carling Cup match against Southend.
It should be noted that there’s a very good chance that neither of these players will be playing for the U-17’s at this years World Championships. Between Renken’s injury and Gyau’s falling out with the residency program, both kids could be absent. Sad.
Hoffenheim has risen to prominence due to funding from a millionaire benefactor(in Germany clubs are not owned by individuals). They are supposed to have a developed a good youth academy and with all the offers these two received I am sure they looked into that.
On a selfish note I wish they would have signed with Stuttgart. We have a great youth system(Mario Gomez, Aleksandr Hleb) and give young players plenty of opportunity(have started 7 players 22 and under already this year).
Gyau’s dad, Philip played for the USMNT so I very highly doubt he would play for an African side. Renken was adopted by an Illinois family and has always said he is grateful for the chance to escape poverty in Africa and has committed his career to the US.
SO STOP WITH THE HAND-WRINGING over whether they play or not. Also, they are only 15/16 and Gyau doesn’t even start for the U17s (see the CONCACAF playoffs for the U17s this spring).
This is great news but temper it with the fact that they have a long way to go and Renken (albeit a great unpolished gem) has the injury history.
They need another 3/4 years of patient mentoring to allow their games to blossom.
So the Dynamo academy beat some other youth squad. All those Dynamitos will still either 1) go to college and get a job paying more than 12.9 a year, or 2) go to Europe and play for more than 12.9 a year.
*THAT* is the issue.
All the MLS haters and Euro snobs need to shut the hell up. We don’t need to have the Steven Cohen-esque hate permeate here too.
MLS is a young league. Quit acting like it should be as established as the Eredivise, La Liga, or the Prem. It isn’t deal with it. There is enough good soccer to go around. Just because a couple of talented players go overseas that DOESN’T mean MLS is missing the boat. It is doing the best it can balancing product on the pitch and profit in the pocket. Give it time.
As for the notion that we need to cap these kids now, QUIT! If they can play, they can play. Gyua’s old man played for the Yanks. Don’t worry about it. You think these kids are going to play for the German national team? Think again. How about Renken playing for Zambia? Not happening. Quit with the “We’ll lose them soon enough” talk. We didn’t lose super youth players like Lee Ngyuen did we? How did that pan out? We didn’t lose Kenny Cooper? We lose some, but gain some too. Quit whining.
also, after doing some research on Hoffenheim, im rather excited about this! Seems like a good team, good facilities, and more importantly the right mentality to train youth players. I suggest some of you who are lamenting this move go do some googling.
one of the kids from the Dynamo youth team got invited to train with Valencia after the Dynamo beat Real Madrid 🙂
or so i believe haha 😛
Can someone explain what Vancouver has to do with Hoffenheim? Why don’t they just stay in residency in Bradenton until they can go to Hoffenheim? Bradenton is far superior to anything Vancouver has.
The Houston Dynamo Academy just wrecked shop on it’s European Tour and people are already back to criticizing the US Youth System.
Let’s please stop calling for the caps of a 15 year old and 16 year old whose primary soccer accomplishments have come for a U17 team.
Having said that, I am thrilled that these two will have the opportunity to develop their skills in Europe. I just wish a kid like Freddy Adu had taken this same route…
Renken is also eligible for Zambia. It is very doubtful that they switch.
Gyau is eligible for Ghana and has had a rocky relationship with USA U17 staff
Please, please, please, please, please cap them so that I don’t read in 4 years how they are going to play for Germany….
Posted by: JP | August 25, 2009 at 02:19 PM
Sorry JP, but there is no way a couple of kids from the Hoffenheim youth program will be getting into a World Cup qualifier or other such full international match anytime soon. Get real.
Per WSJ story ‘Mr. Rangnick (coach) wanted Hoffenheim to play a flowing and attacking style with players taking only one or two touches as they drive the ball up the field. On defense, he was a disciple of “pressing,” a technique pioneered in Dutch soccer in the 1960s. He ordered his scouts to fan out across the world looking for fast and powerful players aged 16 to 22. ‘
WSJ did a great story on Hoffenheim back in January. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123266995130108219.html?mod=googlewsj
We all know MLS is a joke. But the bigger issue will Bradley still be the head coach when these kids are 18-19, because he won’t know how to use either of them.