Orebro’s Brendan Hines-Ike is a participant not often talked about amongst American followers however the Colorado native has emerged as probably the greatest defenders within the Swedish Allsvenskan and now’s the topic of switch rumors this summer season.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
June 05, 2018
5:00 AM
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WHEN LOOKING AT the present group of youthful American gamers, one of many extra promising positions is central protection. Matt Miazga, Erik Palmer-Brown, and Cameron Carter-Vickers are all signed to a few of England’s greatest groups. John Brooks, when wholesome, is a longtime participant. Domestically, Walker Zimmerman and Tim Parker are among the many greatest in MLS.
Quietly—and never on the radar of many American followers—Örebro SK’s Brendan Hines-Ike is placing collectively a pleasant résumé as probably the greatest defenders in Sweden.
Presently in his third season on the membership, Hines-Ike, 23, has earned very optimistic evaluations for his performances this 12 months as Örebro SK sits in fifth place.
“The season has gone quite well,” Hines-Ike informed ASN from Sweden. “I think it’s better than anyone was expecting. For myself, I am just very comfortable now within the team and I’ve taken that step in terms of where I am no longer getting used to the league and I am not a [prospect]. Now I have to show that I can play and be involved in big moments. I think I’ve taken a more leadership role within the team.”
Like many Individuals earlier than him, Hines-Ike performed school soccer earlier than he made the transfer overseas. When he was 9 he trialed on the Nottingham Forest academy in England. Whereas the membership supplied him a spot, it was solely on a one-year deal, which wasn’t sufficient to entice him and his dad and mom to make the transfer. So as an alternative, he returned stateside to develop in conventional channels of MLS academies and school.
Whereas many Individuals are actually bypassing the school sport, Hines-Ike believes it helped him in sure areas, though when he turned skilled, adjusting from the brief collegiate season to a 10-month season was tough.
“I was always so focused when I was younger to become a professional as fast as I could,” Hines-Ike recalled. “I was actually so fortunate to end up having to go to college because I was so close to signing for Chivas USA when they were still a club and I was in their academy. I think one year later they fell apart. I think that was such a lucky thing because if I stayed, who knows what would have happened? I would have been out of job and I wouldn’t have been eligible for college.”
“The college game is difficult,” he added. “The big thing, and I wouldn’t ever say the level isn’t good enough, is sometimes I think it is great for young players because sometimes is a great way to learn how to play the game with pace and there is a brutal physicality with some of the teams you play against.”
Not way back, the Scandinavian leagues had been residence to promising younger American gamers who had been searching for to start out their skilled careers. Some would by no means rise any additional than these leagues whereas others like Alejandro Bedoya and Charlie Davies finally secured offers in high European leagues.
Lately, nonetheless, the variety of American gamers in Scandinavia has sharply declined. This is because of a number of elements comparable to an improved MLS—with a lot of its groups signing extra gamers via homegrown guidelines—and with golf equipment in international locations like Germany now pursuing Individuals in better numbers.
Hines-Ike’s path to Sweden took some luck. He performed his first three years of faculty at Creighton however determined to switch to the College of South Florida for his ultimate season. He educated with Scandinavian groups in the summertime earlier than his ultimate school season versus taking part in PDL soccer stateside (as Hines-Ike mentioned: “It was part of the deal I had with South Florida that they allowed me to train in Europe during the summer because it’s something I always wanted to experience.”)
Hines-Ike was coaching with Danish and Norwegian groups however Örebro SK prolonged a late invite after listening to about him via mutual contacts. Initially, Hines-Ike was reluctant as a result of it was the tip of the summer season and he had been in Europe for 2 months, however he finally determined to go.
After two weeks of coaching at Örebro SK, the membership knowledgeable Hines-Ike that it was going to attempt to signal him in December after the NCAA season. Certain sufficient, the crew referred to as him two days after South Florida’s ultimate sport and the 2 sides negotiated a deal.
Coincidentally, Örebro SK was the primary membership Alejandro Bedoya performed for after his standout collegiate profession at Boston Faculty and Bedoya stays fashionable with supporters to at the present time.
“A lot of people were excited to have another American coming here,” Hines-Ike mentioned. “It draws a lot of attention because not a lot of Americans are coming to this league….But I am my own player and I don’t live in his shadow. It’s such a gold mine over here for young players to develop and that’s why I chose Sweden. They give the young players a chance and they have an open mind for letting the young players play.”
However his success in Sweden isn’t going unnoticed both. Örebro SK performs a really trendy model the place Hines-Ike has been in a position to play any of the three central protection positions in a five-man backline that options two attacking wingbacks.
In Might, the membership acknowledged that Hines-Ike may very well be on the transfer quickly, with reviews indicating Holland. Coincidentally, this may very well be facilitated with an Irish passport – for which he has utilized via his Irish-born grandfather (and he believes the method is in its ultimate levels).
“He is one of the most talented central defenders in the Allsvenskan and he is doing well now,” Örebro SK technical director Magnus Skoldmark mentioned lately. “There is interest from other clubs.”
Hines-Ike is reluctant to speak concerning the curiosity from different golf equipment, though he factors out a membership should be the proper match.
“First and foremost it’s an honor,” Hines-Ike mentioned of the curiosity from Holland. “Some of the clubs that now know my name in Holland, I would have never expected. I would never have expected people there to be in a boardroom now talking about me. But it’s not a distraction. I am a focused person.
“The tough thing is that I do have a good life in Sweden and I am happy here,” he added. “I do understand that I’ve moved here for a reason to keep progressing with my career. Whatever happens next, I know that it’s a right step for me. I am not looking to rush to get out just to move on. I am looking for the right decision and the right move because it’s important. I’m only 23 and the next four years in my development are crucial. I want to make sure I get it right.”
A transfer to the Eredivisie or a equally massive league in Europe will doubtless enhance Hines-Ike’s visibility in america. Amongst nationwide crew gamers, Matt Miazga lately performed two seasons in Holland and Erik Palmer-Brown completed a half season in Belgium with each gamers on mortgage from Chelsea and Manchester Metropolis, respectively.
Hines-Ike is comfy flying under the radar, for now, and he believes that his play will find yourself talking for itself.
“I think in Sweden we kind of create our own little world and everyone talks about the league here,” Hines-Ike mentioned. “It’s tough to follow what players the people are talking about back in America. To be honest, I believe the play will eventually speak for itself. If I do move onto a bigger league, of course that will draw attention. That time will come. I don’t want to be noticed for the wrong things. I want to be noticed for play. If the play hasn’t gotten me noticed yet, that’s just a sign I need to up my play.”