Bermuda international John Barry Nusum will keep alive a family tradition when he turns out for Crystal Palace Baltimore in the newly reformed North American Soccer League (NASL).

Nusum's father, John, played for San Diego Sockers and Rochester Lancers, while his uncle Sam starred for New York Cosmos, Vancouver Whitecaps and Montreal Olympique during the original NASL's heyday.

Earlier this week, Palace announced they would be one of nine teams to compete in the breakaway league, which starts in April, giving Nusum the opportunity to emulate his footballing relatives.

He will be joined by fellow national team player Tyrell Burgess whose Vancouver Whitecaps have also signed up to play in the new division.

Formally announced two weeks ago, the rebel league has been named to honour the original NASL, a professional league that operated in the US and Canada from 1968 to 1984 and featured soccer greats such as Pele and Franz Beckenbauer.

A number of Bermuda's top players from that halycon era also graced the NASL such as Clyde Best, Gary Darrell, Dale Russell and Randy Horton.

Horton, a former NASL MVP and Rookie of the Year, said he had fond memories of plundering goals in the original NASL.

"There was a lot of excitement in the NASL when I played and it had a major role in helping soccer get to where is now in the US," said Horton, now a PLP MP.

"Back then there were quite a few Bermudians playing in the NASL like myself, Clyde Best, Ralph Bean and Fred (Pinks) Lewis. And it's good to see a couple of Bermudians will be playing in the new NASL.

"I think we've always had players with the ability and it's always been a case of getting them over the last hurdle. When you play in a professional league, people are always watching you. I was offered a professional contract from a team in England (Huddersfield Town) when I was playing in the NASL."

The new NASL has nine teams, Carolina RailHawks, Atlanta Silverbacks, Crystal Palace Baltimore, Miami FC, Minnesota Thunder, Montreal Impact, St. Louis Soccer United, Tampa Bay Rowdies and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. They were all previously tied to the United Soccer Leagues (USL), the structure below Major League Soccer.

NASL president Selby Wellman said: "We are paying respect to the players, coaches and leaders who were pioneers for men's professional soccer in North America.

"Our intention is to offer an elite brand of soccer and outstanding experience for our partners and fans, something the old NASL did very well during its day. We will do the same in the new NASL."

The USL, which was founded in 1986 and has two senior men's divisions as well as a youth and women's structure, recently announced plans for new teams in Canada and Detroit and intends to continue without the rebel teams in 2010. Nusum's former club Bermuda Hogges are part of the USL-D2.