Sporting Kansas City II has signed 22-year-old center back Nassim Mekideche to an MLS NEXT Pro professional contract ahead of the 2023 season.
Mekideche joins Sporting KC II after spending the first four years of his professional career in Algeria and Canada. He signed for Algerian side JS Kabylie in 2018 and made six top-flight appearances across three seasons before signing with Tunisian outfit CS Hammam-Lif in September 2021. Mekideche played four matches for the club prior to departing last summer.
On July 8, 2022, Mekideche completed a move to Valour FC in the Canadian Premier League and settled in well at the Winnipeg club. He started eight of 10 league matches during the stretch run of the campaign and recorded an assist in a 2-0 victory over Cavalry FC on Aug. 4.
Born in Algiers, Algeria and raised in Montreal, Canada, Mekideche has trained with the Sporting KC first team this winter during the club’s 2023 preseason, presented by Children’s Mercy.
With Mekideche onboard, Sporting KC II now has 14 players signed to MLS NEXT Pro professional contracts.
Sporting KC II Roster (as of Jan. 23, 2023)
- Goalkeepers (1): Ethan Bandre
- Defenders (6): Aljaz Dzankic, Coby Jones, Mikey Lenis, Nassim Mekideche, Jahon Rad, Diedie Traore
- Midfielders (2): Ethan Bryant, Enzo Mauriz
- Forwards (5): Bakary Bagayoko, Josh Coan, Andrew Draper, Amadou Traore, Pau Vidal
Led by head coach and longtime Sporting midfielder Benny Feilhaber, Sporting KC II will begin preparations in February for the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro season, which will feature an expanded field of 28 clubs.
Transaction: Sporting Kansas City II signs defender Nassim Mekideche to an MLS NEXT Pro professional contract.
VITALS
Nassim Mekideche (nah-SEEM MEH-kee-desh)
Position: Defender
Born: 4/30/2000 (22 years old)
Height: 6-3
Weight: 168 lbs.
Hometown: Montreal, Canada
Birthplace: Algiers, Algeria
Citizenship: Algeria, Canada
Previous Club: Valour FC (Canada)
Instagram: @nassimmekideche
