Mumbai lad Pratik Shinde set for second stint at Houston Hurricanes

MIDFIELDER PRATIK SHINDE has joined Houston Hurricanes FC for the upcoming season. The Hurricanes are a mostly amateur club in the USA that play in the Texas Premier Soccer League.

The young Indian lad who was a part of the Indian Super League (ISL) franchise FC Pune City in the first edition took to his Facebook page to share his excitement.

A product of the Kenkre FC academy, Pratik caught the eye of coach Brendan Keyes at the U-14 Gothia Cup in Sweden. Keyes - who owns the Texas Premier Soccer League - offered him a place at Pirates SC in the USA. Thus at 15, he became the youngest Indian player to land a contract in the USA. 

Later on, he went on to play for a season at Houston Hurricanes FC, scoring 9 goals and providing 11 assists. He had a stint with ISL franchise FC Pune City in the opening edition of the private tournament.