Sporting Kansas City have added depth to their midfield, announcing the signing of Michael Kafari on Tuesday.
The 22-year-old, drafted by the Vancouver Whitecaps in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft, is a product of the University of New Mexico.
"We scouted Michael in college," Sporting KC Manager Peter Vermes said in a statement. "He has some qualities that we like and that we think will be able to fit in with our team."
The native of Accra, Ghana moved to the United States in 2001 at age nine and is a naturalized US citizen. A product of the Boise Nationals Soccer Club in Boise, Idaho, Kafari also trained with the youth academies at Bolton Wanderers and Chelsea FC of the English Premier League as a teen.
After being drafted in January by Vancouver, Kafari signed with their USL PRO affiliate Charleston Battery in mid-March after spending preseason with the Canadian club.
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The 6-foot-1 two-way midfielder made his competitive debut for Charleston on May 28 in the US Open Cup third round. He started and played 71 minutes against the Orlando City U-23's in a fixture that set the competition record for the longest penalty kick shootout at 14 rounds following a 2-2 draw through extra time.
"I'm very excited to join Sporting Kansas City," Kafari said in a statement. "This is a great organization and it's a honor to sign with them. The players have welcomed me from day one and I look forward to playing for the MLS Cup champions."
