Delon Lanferman (L) and Jumane Somerset receiving their airline ticket from GFF’s 3rd Vice President Thandi McAllister
Alpha United’s Delon Lanferman and Jumane Somerset of Pele FC will depart Guyana tomorrow (Thursday December 17) to participate at the 2015 Major League Soccer (MLS) Combine in Curacao.
Three day event (December 17 – 20), will feature players from within the confines of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), competing in front of professional scouts for an opportunity to earn an invitation to the annual Addidas MLS Player Combine in Florida on January 8 – 13, 2016.
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) sponsored the duo’s airline ticket and 3rd Vice President Thandi McAllister upon making the presentation at the Federation’s headquarters, wished the players the best of luck on their quest to the MLS.
She further added “I want to encourage you to put Guyana first. You are ambassadors of this beautiful country of ours and we want to you to be of exemplary conduct and I wish you the very best”.
According to the Attorney-at-Law, “you’re both very skilful players, I’ve seen both of you in action and I admire your advancement in the sport (of football). Remember football must win regardless of wherever you go”.
Lanferman finished the League (Genesis) as the highest goal scorer (11), one more than Pele’s Gregory Richardson. He played a pivotal role in his club’s success this year, despite them finishing second in the League (Genesis) behind Slingerz Football Club.
The 20 year-old Lanferman is yet to make his Senior National team debut, though representing Guyana at the U-20 and U-23 levels.
Somerset, 22, is described as one of Guyana’s top defenders, but the player is also yet to make his Golden Jaguar debut.
Pele FC finished third in the STAG Elite League (Genesis) and conceded a total of 14 goals in their 16 matches played. Only league champions Slingerz FC (9) and Alpha United (11) conceded fewer goals.
The CFU/MLS combines caters for players between the ages of 18 – 22 years-old and is an annual showcase of Caribbean football talent organised jointly by MLS and the CFU in 2013, with the inaugural combine being held in January 2014.
The combine provides opportunities for Caribbean players to be observed by MLS scouts with the hopes of being invited to the MLS Combine, an invite-only showcase event held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida prior to the annual MLS SuperDraft.
The combine is part of an agreement between the two entities as they try to promote football development throughout the Caribbean region
Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson is the first and only Guyanese player to be signed by an MLS club following his 2009 deal with the Colorado Rapids.