Sporting KC signs defender Yann Songo'o
21-year-old Cameroonian adds depth to Sporting KC backline
Sporting Kansas City announced on Thursday that the club has signed defender Yann Songo’o. The 21-year-old Cameroon youth international will be added to the team’s roster pending the receipt of his P-1 Visa and ITC.
“We had him train with us last summer and we feel he is a talented, young player with a big upside,” Sporting KC Manager Peter Vermes said. “We look forward to adding him and bolstering the depth of the team.”
Songo’o represented Cameroon at the 2011 African Youth Championship in South Africa, helping his country reach the final and qualify for the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He was again selected for Cameroon’s under-20 squad for the FIFA tournament and played in a 1-0 victory over Uruguay in the group stage finale to send his country through to the knockout round.
“I have lot of hope and aspiration that this will be a big experience and opportunity to show what I have as a footballer,” Songo’o said. “I want to thank the club for the chance they are giving me and I want to show my gratitude to them on the playing field.”
After developing as a youth with Deportivo de la Coruña and Real Zaragoza in Spain, Songo’o spent a short stint in France at FC Metz before returning to Zaragoza. Songo’o featured for Real Zaragoza B from 2010-2011, drawing interest from Real Madrid and FC Barcelona before moving up to Spain’s Liga Adelante (Segunda Division) with CE Sabadell FC. He appeared in a Copa del Rey second round qualifier for the club.
Most recently, Songo’o joined Pobla de Mafumet CF in January 2012. He is the son of former Cameroon goalkeeping great Jacques Songo’o, a four-time member of Cameroon’s World Cup teams, and the brother of Portland Timbers midfielder Franck Songo’o.
VITALS
Yann Songo’o
Position: Defender
Number: 2
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 182
Born: 11/19/1991
Birthplace: Toulon, France
Hometown: Yaoundé, Cameroon
Last Club: Pobla de Mafumet CF (Spain)
Twitter: @Songoo91