KENYAN-BORN TEEN SIGNS FOR MLS SIDE SEATTLE SOUNDERS

Handwalla Bwana signs his contract with Seattle Sounders. PHOTO | COURTESY

KENYAN-BORN TEEN SIGNS FOR MLS SIDE SEATTLE SOUNDERS

Kenyan-born teenager, Handwalla Bwana, has signed for Major League Soccer (MLS) side Seattle Sounders on a homegrown contract.

The American club announced the deal on its official website and social media pages on Thursday.

Until his acquisition by Seattle Sounders, Bwana has been playing for University of Washington. Bwana, 18, attended Ballard High School before spending the last two years playing for the university side.

“It is an unbelievable moment. I never actually thought I’d be a pro from where I come from. I remember going to Sounders games for the first time, and it was incredible. The atmosphere was something I had never seen before. Being able to sign as a Homegrown, I can’t believe it,” the 18-year-old, who was born in Mombasa, was quoted by the club website.

SCORE GOALS

The teenager whose family migrated to Atalanta, Georgia before moving to Seattle previously turned out for Sounders FC Academy and Seattle United, a Sounders Academy partner, prior to his time at Washington.

The club’s Vice President of Soccer & Sporting Director Chris Henderson was full of praise for the new signing.

“Handwalla is a guy who can put defenses off-balance. He’s proven it at the University of Washington and with our Academy. He can score goals. He creates chances for himself, and he’s great at running at guys with the ball ,” he said.

Bwana is still eligible to turn out for the Harambee Stars owing to his Kenyan roots.