The Kansas City Wizards announced Wednesday that the team has signed midfielder Jamar Beasley to a Major League Soccer contract. Per team and League policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. To make room on the roster, Kansas City has waived midfielder Igor Kostrov.
Beasley, 30, signed with MLS directly out of high school in 1998 when he joined the New England Revolution. He was, at the time, the youngest player to ever sign with the League. Beasley played in MLS from 1998-2001 with the New England Revolution and Chicago Fire. Beasley has scored seven goals and recorded eight assists in 59 MLS games (17 starts).
“Jamar is a quick guy that adds more speed to the wings and up front for us,” Wizards Manager Peter Vermes said. “He adds depth for us in midfield and attack.”
After the 2001 season, Beasley left MLS and signed with lower-level Italian club Atletico Puteolana, where he stayed for one season. Beasley then became a prolific indoor soccer goal-scorer starting in 2003, first with the Kansas City Comets. Beasley was a star for Kansas City, scoring 53 goals in 61 games from 2003-2005. He then moved across the state when the Comets suspended operations, scoring 33 goals in 30 games for the St. Louis Steamers from 2005-2006. Beasley played for the Detroit Ignition from 2006-2008, scoring 40 goals in 29 games. Beasley has been with the Rockford Rampage since 2008.
Beasley has been an active member of the United States National Futsal Team, participating in both the 2004 and 2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup events. At the 2004 event in Chinese Taipei, Beasley played in five of six games for the USA, scoring one goal. In 2008, Beasley started two of four group-stage matches for the USA in Brazil.
Beasley’s younger brother, DeMarcus, has played for Scottish powerhouse Rangers F.C. for the past three European seasons and is currently with the U.S. National Team preparing for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in South Africa. DeMarcus has appeared for the 90 times for the Red, White and Blue since 2001, scoring 17 goals. He also played in both the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cup tournaments for the U.S.
U.S. National Team Head Coach Bob Bradley will name his final 23-man World Cup roster today live on the 12 p.m. CT SportsCenter. The announcement is expected to come around 12:20 p.m. CT.
Transaction: Kansas City Wizards (MLS) sign midfielder Jamar Beasley to Major League Soccer contract. Kansas City also waives midfielder Igor Kostrov.
Vitals:
Jamar Beasley #24
Midfielder
Height: 5-9
Weight: 150
Born: October 11, 1979
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Citizenship: USA
Last Club: Rockford Rampage (MISL)
