Fordham University graduate Rashid Nuhu is set to be the first the Ghana trained goalkeeper to play in the American top-flight after being invited for the SuperDraft.
Nuhu, who gained a scholarship from the trailblazing Right to Dream Academy in Ghana to study one of the prestigious universities in American four years, recently graduated with his Bachelors Degree.
With his academic certificate now in hand, Nuhu has grabbed the chance to pursue his lifelong dream of pursuing his football career at the highest level after being spotted by scouts.
His exploits while playing for Fordham University has been noted by the Major League Soccer (MLS) who have now named the talented goalkeeper for the MLS Player Combine.
The MLS Player Combine will afford clubs in the American top-tier to observe the players who have been shortlisted before deciding to give them contracts to play in the MLS.
Nuhu, a four-year starting goalkeeper at Fordham, will attend MLS Player Combine to be held from 3-9 January next in Orlando, Florida.
The goalkeeper is part of the life-changing concept of the Right to Dream academy in Ghana that trains young footballers to also take up studying apart from their playing careers.
Fordham University coach Jim McElderry is delighted with the opportunity for Nuhu and he is confident the style of play of Ghanaian will help him grab a contract.
"In this day and age, when most teams are trying to play out of the back and build and keep possession of the ball, MLS coaches have remarked how important someone like Rashid is," said Jim McElderry.
Under the highly-cherished concept of merging football with academic laurels, Right to Dream academy stands out from the rest as it has helped several graduates of their academy to gain scholarships to study with some of the top universities in the USA and the UK.
Even though some of the players go directly to to play professional soccer like Majeed Waris and David Accam have gone on to play for Ghana and some of the top teams in the world.
Several others have gained full scholarships to study at top American universities before signing for clubs in the MLS.
At last year's Major League Soccer SuperDraft in Philadelphia, Pa., it was a proud moment for the Kent School (Conn.).
Ema Twumasi, an alumnus and also a graduate of Right to Dream, was drafted by FC Dallas with the 11th overall pick. A product of the Right To Dream program, Twumasi had signed a Generation adidas contract after an All-ACC career at Wake Forest.
If all goes to plan, another Kent graduate could join the MLS ranks in the coming weeks.