Ferdinand Takyi Trains with New York Red Bulls
Former UK Football Trials player Ferdinand Takyi received the opportunity of a lifetime when he was selected to train with the New York Red Bulls.
Ferdinand, better known as ‘Ferdy’, has attended several of our events over the last couple of years and we have placed him into the likes of West Brom and Reading for trials.
Earlier this year we put Ferdy, who stands at 6ft 2” and plays as a striker, forward to Red Bull TV for a documentary titled ‘The Streets Don’t Lie’, and he was selected along with another of our players.
This summer, Djibril Cissè selected Ferdy, now 23-years-old, from three candidates to travel to the USA and train with the New York Red Bulls u23’s.
“It was a great experience,” said Ferdy.
“I’m realising now that I actually did quite well, I came in the middle of the group for the fitness and things, not first and not last.
“You never know, maybe one day I’ll come back to the MLS for another go and the stats will be different.”
At the end of the five days, trainer John Wolyniec gave his thoughts on Ferdy’s performance and how he coped with the level.
“What I would say is this – I think you’re a professional player,” John revealed.
“You need to be a professional player somewhere. You’re a good player; you’re of the level, but maybe not quite the kind of player that we want – you need to find a team that fits your style a little bit more.”
John continued: “In Europe as a 22-year-old you might be considered older.
“Here in America where the development path is a little bit different, you fit right into that age range where you can start your career and develop yourself, so the MLS might make sense.”
Since the trial, Ferdy has signed with an American sports agent and is currently awaiting a trial.