Scratch one name off the MLS Combine List.
USF centerback Brendan Hines-Ike has signed a four-year deal with Swedish club Orebro. The move was officially announced last week, but that still did not stop MLS from including him in the initial list of players that were invited to the 2016 MLS Combine.
Hines-Ike, 21, spent his final collegiate season in 2015 with USF. He started all 20 games for the Bulls and scored two goals. Prior to that, Hines-Ike spent three years at Creighton. He got the nod in 38 and appeared in all 40 of that program’s games in his freshman and sophomore years, but was limited to just five appearances in his junior season in 2014.
“It has always been my dream to play in Europe and it feels great to represent a storied club Orebro SK,” Hines-Ike told the club’s website. “I got a very good impression of the club during my test game so it was an easy decision to make. There were other options in the U.S., but I felt this was the right step for me. I’m really looking forward to meeting the fans at Behrn Arena.”
In Orebro, Hines-Ike joins a club that is no stranger to jumpstarting the career of an American. U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder Alejandro Bedoya began his professional playing days with Orebro, and enjoyed plenty of success before moving onto bigger clubs in Europe.
What do you think of Hines-Ike signing with Orebro? See him playing and succeeding there immediately or will it take time? Wondering why MLS invited him to the combine?
Share your thoughts below.