John Barry Nusum's new coach believes destiny played a part in the player joining the Columbus Crew.

The Ohio team snapped up the former Wolves striker in the Major Soccer League (MLS) Superdraft yesterday.

Nusum, who was a standout with Furman College in South Carolina, was the 35th pick at the 2002 draft in Orlando, Florida and joins a club possessing US national team star striker Brian McBride.

Coach Greg Andrulis said he was surprised Nusum, a Bermuda national team player and three time All American, was still up for grabs by the time the Crew's third round pick came up.

"We were pleasantly surprised that he was still available," admitted Andrulis to club website, Crew.com. "John is the kind of forward that has prospered in the Crew environment. With the uncertainty of Brian McBride and Jeff Cunningham with the national team we need a safety net up there.

"John is a big banger with a lot of experience scoring goals, so we're looking forward to working with him.

"I guess he was just destined to be with us."

Nusum, too, said he wasn't expecting to wait as long as he did. "I expected to be picked earlier than that," he said. "Things happen for a reason. I'm glad that the Crew picked me up."

With the likes of McBride in the ranks the player realises he is not going to walk into the first team.

"I understand that I won't be playing right now," he said. "But with Brian going off to the World Cup there could be a chance for me to get in there and show my stuff."

Nusum believed he was far from the finished product and his 61 goals in 86 games for Furman would mean little unless he could produce in the MLS.

"I had a good college career but that doesn't mean it will translate into a good professional career. That's what I am here to find out. I just want to get my feet wet and see what happens."

The Crew missed out on the MLS Cup play-offs last season for the first time in five years and will look to the likes of Nusum to turn their programme around.

On Saturday, he played a starring role in the Umbro Select Classic tournament.

Playing for the East he scored a 21st minute penalty to draw his side level against the West, who ran out 3-1 winners.