Free-agent John Barry Nusum has revealed the Bermuda Hogges have spoken to him about signing for next season after admitting: "I'm in the shop window and open to offers."

Nusum, who turns out for Philadelphia Kixx in the MISL, took a sabbatical from football last season to ward off fatigue and has not ruled out a reunion with his former national team coaches Kyle Lightbourne and Paul Scope.

The Hogges management are known admirers of Nusum's attributes and believe his physical attacking edge as well as on-field leadership qualities could accelerate their transition into becoming a driving force in the USL-D2.

But the 25-year-old has stressed the Hogges are one of a number of attractive propositions available and he will keep his options open while he strives for his second successive title with the Kixx.

"I've spoken to the Bermuda Hogges about the possibility of signing for them and I know Paul Scope and Kyle Lightbourne very well - it's one option for me," he said.

"I'm a free agent so I'll be shopping around and seeing what's out there for me and I've a good relationship with a few USL teams - I don't want to put all my eggs in one basket."

Earlier this year Nusum's Virginia Beach Mariners folded due to lack of funding after an ownership dispute and were removed from the USL-D1 schedule.

Dropping down a tier to the USL-D2 could represent a potential stumbling block, but the chance of playing for Bermuda's first football franchise and linking up with his national team-mates may also appeal to Nusum who attended Hogges games last season.

"I certainly believe the Hogges will benefit Bermudian football and I went to watch a few games last season," he added. "A lot of the guys are my team-mates in the national team and I think the standard of Bermudian football can only improve from having them play the USL-D2 regularly.

"I also believe the national team will reap the rewards from having these guys play together week-in week-out."

Talking to The Royal Gazette before the Hogges' final game of the season, president Shaun Goater admitted he would like to have Nusum onboard next term.

"Next season's a possibility," admitted Goater on signing Nusum. "If he believes there's a better opportunity in the MLS or USL-D1 then I would tell him to go for it straight away.

"But I don't believe there will be a better opportunity for him in the USL-2 as no-one in our division pays as high as us. It would make no sense for him to sign for another USL-D2 team. We're gaining momentum and don't feel a million miles away from the USL-D1."

Nusum, who was selected by the Columbus Crew in the 2002 MLS Superdraft, kicks-off his MISL season on October 19 against compatriot David Bascome's Baltimore Blast.

Despite losing some key players Nusum is predicting a strong season for the Kixx and is looking forward to taking on Bascome who he describes as his "footballing mentor".

"I speak to David (Bascome) regularly and I see him as my footballing mentor - I'm a big supporter of the Island Soccer League (ISL) he created in Bermuda."

He added: "After seven years of playing non-stop football I decided to take the season off last season. My body was telling me I needed a break I believe it was the right decision.

"I feel really fresh and recuperated and I'll be looking to have a great season with the Kixx in the indoor league."