Hogges' star Bean set to join PDL club
By Stephen Wright
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Keishen BeanPoised to sign for Canadian United Soccer League club, Ottawa Fury.
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Promising Bermuda international Keishen Bean has agreed to join United Soccer League's amateur team Ottawa Fury as a franchise player.
The 21-year-old's move will further deplete Bermuda Hogges' attacking options having lost John Barry Nusum to league rivals Crystal Palace Baltimore last week.
Canadian club Fury are part of the Professional Development League (PDL), which is increasingly being used by Bermuda's ambitious young players as a springboard into the professional game.
Earlier this month Bean's national team-mate Tyrell Burgess signed for USL-D1 club Vancouver Whitecaps on the back of his standout performances for the PDL's Reading Rage last season.
Meanwhile, Devonshire Cougars forward Tumani Steede has emerged a target for Rage who are keen for the youngster to fill the void left by Burgess.
"I am in the process of signing for the Ottawa Fury in the PDL," Bean told The Royal Gazette. "Interestingly enough I am possibly going to be a franchise player so things are going well for me. I am very happy with how my game is improving."
Bean, who attends Cape Breton University in Canada, plans to train with Hogges or Bermuda Under-23s before joining his new Fury team-mates for pre-season training.
He was a mainstay for the Hogges last season after joining the USL-D2 outfit on a 'tailor-made' contract enabling him to play professional football without contravening his amateur status, which he must preserve to compete at college level.
Bermuda Football Association Technical director Derek Broadley had recommended Bean to his former club Rage, but believed Fury would be a good fit for the North Village player.
"Now that Keishen's back at college it's difficult for him to play for Bermuda Hogges because of his amateur status," said Broadley. "I had mentioned him to Rage but I imagine there's a link between Fury and his university in Canada.
"I think it will be a good move for him and I know Fury have a very good development programme. I think in Bermuda we are governed a bit by America and the PDL is a good route for our best young players.
"That's why the BFA are replicating the PDL league with our own Development League for players aged between 17 and 23."
Ottawa Fury's opening match of their campaign will see them take on Rhode Island Stingrays at Rhode Island College on Friday, May 29.
