John Barry Nusum showed star potential at the age of four, according to his first football coach.

The 20-year-old, who on Sunday joined the ranks of Bermuda's professionals when he was drafted by the Colombus Crew of the Major Soccer League (MLS), is well remembered by Vince Minors.

The coach recalls how even at such a tender age Nusum, who most recently played for Wolves under Dennis Brown, was head and shoulders above others his age.

"I am very happy for him," said Minors. "I always knew that he would make it no matter where he went, given the chance.

"I am just glad he got the chance and now all he has to do is have some patience and prove himself."

Minors remembers Nusum playing on the former US Naval base.

"He played in the United States Naval League down there," he said. "I coached a team called the Cosmos. They were all from Wolves, all from Devonshire and Elliott School. That is where he started at the age of four. He was one of the youngest ones because that was the under eight league. He had promise right from there."

Minors said Nusum's dedication and commitment caught the eye from the off.

"He was the one who would always come training and was always encouraging the guys," said Minors.

"He started out as a sweeper. He was captain of the national Under-12s and Under-18s and always as sweeper.

"When Brown came he moved him up because even at sweeper he was our leading goalscorer!

"He had some talented guys around him but he was the one that would come up from the back and score the goals."

Minors who, along with Dasher Douglas, said he had coached plenty of talented players, said Nusum was the one he thought could go all the way.

"I always had a feeling that if anyone could make it out of my crew he would be the one," he said. "I am like a proud father. I always called him son, I have had him all my life and I am very proud."

When Nusum takes to the field for his new team there will be at least one Bermudian cheering him on from the stands.

"I will be travelling to see him," said Minors. "There could be quite a few of us, especially the older Wolves."

Coach Brown was also a proud man on Sunday when the news came from the draft in Orlando.

"I am elated for him and his family," he said. "I have been with him since he was a 15 years-old playing in the Second Division for Wolves. "I think he will be a very good, honest professional."

Brown said Nusum was one of the first 15 year-olds to play in the Second Division.

"We saw the ability then and once he went away to school his coaches saw it too and we knew he wouldn't be playing in Bermuda for that long," he said.

Brown said Wolves were an "integral" part of Nusum's development from a young age.

"I don't want to take a lot of credit for myself," he said. "Right from the beginning it was just a case of harnessing the basics of the game - I stressed to him that no matter how old you are you must still learn to perfect the basics."

Brown, who is involved with the national programme, feels sure Nusum's professional status will have a positive effect on Bermuda's standing on the world stage.

"I always remember Clyde Best saying that the more professionals we have the better it is for the country," he added.

National team coach Mark Trott recently helped line Nusum up with a trial for Scottish Premier League side Livingston, but when nothing concrete came from it he said it was always the player's intention to follow in his father's footsteps and head to America.

"John always knew that he could do well in the draft in the United States. When I spoke with him and his mother he basically wanted to have a crack at trying to make it in Europe but he always knew he had this is as a back-up, although I wouldn't really like to put it like that," Trott said.

The coach believed this could be the start of an exciting period in Bermudian football.

"The more people that can play at a high standard, period, around the world the better off the national team and the national programme will be in the long run," he said. "We have quite a few collegiate players overseas right now and, who knows, John may not be the last one. If he goes on to do well in the next year or two at Columbus it may open up the door for others."