El-Rakim signs with Manchester FC for $12 million

American import expected to bolster team's defense

MANCHESTER, England (RWN) - American teenager Ted El-Rakim signed with Manchester of the English Football League today for $12 million a season - the highest amount ever paid to an American.

Ted, 16, from Bloomfield, Iowa, has been a football sensation since he was 10. At 12, he was signed by the Seattle Bombers soccer team to play for them, and excelled for four years, even though he was smaller than most of the players. The Bombers will receive an undisclosed cash payment for Ted's services.

"I'm just happy that I can do this," Ted said. "I'm looking forward to going over to England and playing at a higher level. But I'm also looking forward to seeing other cultures."

Ted's mother and father will travel with him, including going to road games, so the boy continues his studies.

"This by no means is a surrender to the forces of popular culture," said Andrew El-Rakim, the boy's father. "Allah graces us in many different ways. For my son, it was with his right foot and incredible peripheral vision. He can bring joy and grace to the world. And, let us be honest, our tithe to the mosque in Bloomfield can be much greater with this contract."

Manchester has been badly in need of a midfielder since veteran Neal Craigley suffered a career-ending leg injury against Arsenal FC last year.

"We're very happy Ted's going to come here," said Borden Vickers, Manchester's coach. "No one can obviously replace Neal's toughness - he dragged a shattered leg around for 20 minutes in his last game - but Ted's fast and smart and we think that as he grows into his body a bit, he's going to become the most formidable player in the world."

Ted led all American soccer players in points last year, scoring 34 goals in 21 games.



Comments | Tell A Friend | Run for President