Howard Added to OKC Energy FC Roster
Published on March 20, 2014 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
OKC Energy FC News Release
OKLAHOMA CITY - OKC Energy FC has announced the signing of defenseman Mark Howard, General Manager Jason Hawkins announced today. Howard most recently played with AGF of the Danish Superliga. Howard's signing is pending receiving his international transfer clearance.
Howard played for Manchester United's junior and reserve teams before transferring to the Danish Superliga's Brondby IF in 2006. He played three seasons in Brondby before making his move to AGF in 2009.
"Mark is a very experienced center back coming through the Manchester United academy system," said Energy FC Head Coach Jimmy Nielsen. "I know him from Denmark, where he played for two of the biggest teams and did very well. He is calm and composed on the ball, good in the air and reads the game very well. He will play a big role both on and off the field for our team this year. I am very happy and proud that Energy FC can bring in a player of Mark's quality."
He began his career playing for Barr Hill Lads Club in his hometown of Salford, England. He prepped at Hope High School, where he played with former Manchester United defender Phil Bardsley and former MLS player Mark Redshaw.
Season tickets for OKC Energy FC are available by calling the Energy FC office at 405-235-KICK (5425).
Energy FC is led by former Sporting Kansas City goaltender and 2013 MLS Cup champion, Jimmy Nielsen. Nielsen was a two-time MLS All Star, the 2012 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, and goalkeeper for the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open championship club.
USL PRO is the strongest, best operated and most experienced North American men's professional soccer league outside of Major League Soccer (MLS). Focused on franchise stability and longevity, USL PRO features 15 teams for the 2014 season, including expansion teams in Oklahoma City and Sacramento. Presently 10 USL PRO teams have direct affiliations with Major League Soccer clubs.
The league not only serves as a springboard to the MLS for players, but also for franchises. Five of the last six clubs to enter MLS have moved up from the USL's top professional division. Among the most successful clubs, the Vancouver Whitecaps, Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers, Montreal Impact and Orlando City SC all operated franchises in the USL's top professional division before making the transition to MLS.
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