Vancouver Whitecaps FC striker Omar Salgado joined English Premier League (EPL) side Fulham Football Club today as a guest player. Salgado will primarily train with Fulham's reserve side from Thursday, November 17, to Sunday, December 4.
“This is a great opportunity for Omar to continue with his development,” said head coach Martin Rennie. “Not only has he grown as a player in the last year with our club, his involvement with the United States national team program has helped him improve as a professional. We’re excited that Omar will have the chance to learn in a top professional environment like Fulham FC.”
Playing in one of the top domestic leagues in world soccer, West London-based Fulham FC are led by Dutch manager Martin Jol and include former Whitecaps FC midfielder Ray Lewington as the club’s academy technical director. In 1979, Lewington helped the ‘Caps win the North American Soccer League’s Soccer Bowl championship title.
“It will be an excellent experience,” added Salgado. “It is always good to be able to train with different teams and experience different styles and environments. Opportunities like this help me grow as a player and a person.”
Salgado recently completed a training camp in Duisburg, Germany, with the USA U-23 Olympic team. During the two-week camp, the native of El Paso, Texas, started in the American squad’s (comprised mostly of players born in 1993) 0-0 draw versus an Azerbaijan side that included players born from 1990 to 1993. USA U-20 national team head coach Tab Ramos led the side in Germany.
Selected as the first overall pick in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, Salgado made 14 appearances, while scoring one goal and recording one assist for 504 minutes of action this past season.
This will be the young striker’s second training spell at an EPL club. Last fall, Salgado trained with Everton FC prior to the 2011 MLS SuperDraft.
Whitecaps FC 2012 Major League Soccer season tickets start at $329, plus applicable tax and a $10 processing fee per order. To secure a seat and for additional information about Whitecaps FC MLS season tickets, including loge seats and suites, call 604.669.9283 or visit whitecapsfc.com/protect.
