Schalke‘s Integrated Academy was established in co-operation with the International Soccer Academy, inviting 22 North American players between the ages of 16 to 18 to spend the 2021/22 season training with the Bundesliga club’s acclaimed Knappenschiede youth set-up.
Five have now been signed to SC Verl’s U19s: defenders Alex Hafer, Tidiane Keita and Jaime Villanueva, midfielder Christian Chandler, and forward Keiquon Aaron.
“The signing of our five players with SC Verl is living proof that our programme works,” said Eddie Loewen, International Soccer Academy co-founder. “We’re proud to create the opportunity for American youth soccer players to compete in the world’s leading U19 league.”