Forward Kenny Cooper -- born in Baltimore, raised in Dallas and having played for Manchester United for the past few years -- is returning home. FC Dallas President and General Manager Michael Hitchcock announced the MLS club has acquired the services of the 21-year-old forward at Dallas Jesuit High School on Monday, where Cooper graduated from in 2003.
"For us it's an honor to have in our team a player who has left an institution as prestigious as Manchester United," said Hitchcock. "We're happy to be able to count on the playing quality of a young player who has grown up in a country where football is at such a high level."
Hundreds of students at Dallas Jesuit received the announcement with open arms. They got to find out from Cooper how it feels to be a professional soccer player and to play at Manchester United.
"First of all," Cooper said, "I'd like to thank everyone for coming here with me. I'm happy because you and my family have given me the support to go forward in my career as a soccer player.
"I'm pleased to return to the city of Dallas, because it's my home; although back at Manchester United they treated me very well, Dallas is the best thing for me. I have some very high goals, like for example to be a champion with FC Dallas and with any team where I might be playing," Cooper said.
"This year will be a very important season for FC Dallas with all the new players and it will be my new family in Dallas. These players are terrific and with them I'm going to grow much more."
Aaron Gordon, one of the coaches Cooper played for as a youth in the Dallas area, said: "He played with Dallas Inter, demonstrated when he was very young he had real quality, is talented and his instincts as a goalscorer are good. I'm sure he'll be able to score many goals that will bring plenty of happiness to the FC Dallas fans. He's definitely a born scorer and that's what you'll see in MLS games. It's good for Dallas to know they have a player who grew up in this city and has great ability."
FC Dallas head coach Colin Clarke said he had followed the career of the youngster for a few years.
"He is a good player. We've seen him grow, we knew of his career and we're sure of his ability. We had to give him the opportunity to play in our team. He is one of the best players in the north of Texas. Now that he's already returned, we know that we've acquired greater experience and we're going to see it in action. He'll be able to help us in our cause," Clarke said.
Cooper, was born in Baltimore, but moved with his family to Dallas at the age of 14. The son of former Dallas Tornado goalkeeper Kenny Cooper, the younger Cooper played his club soccer with Solar Soccer Club and Dallas Inter in Dallas while also playing at Jesuit College Preparatory School. Following his high school career, Cooper was signed by Manchester United, the club at which he has spent the last 2 1/2 years.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson hailed Cooper as one of the club's brightest youth and reserve team prospects during his time there. Cooper had been a regular in United's reserve team since his arrival, while also experiencing loan spells at English club Oldham Athletic and Academica Coimbra in Portugal.
Luis Lara is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
