Kwadwo Poku’s next goal will be for FC Anzhi Makhachkala in Russia. (Andy Mead/YCJ Photo)
By Michael Lewis
FrontRowSoccer.com Editor
Miami FC standout Kwadwo Poku is heading to Russia for his next soccer challenge.
The former New York City FC player Wednesday signed with FC Anzhi Makhachkala of the Russian Premier League. The deal will keep the Ghanaian native with the club until May 31, 2020, according to his new team.
The 25-year-old Poku scored seven goals and dished out seven assists for a Miami FC side that dominated the 2017 North American Soccer League spring and fall standings. The Cosmos eliminated Miami FC in The Championship semifinals.
Poku, who also played for the Atlanta Silverbacks during the 2014 season, was a super-sub with NYCFC, connecting for an impressive four goals and seven assists in 27 appearances over 878 minutes during the team’s 2015 maiden season, but could never get a foothold on a starting job.
After Patrick Vieira took over, he decided it was better for Poku to play regularly somewhere else as the team sold the 6-1, 185-lb attacking player to Miami FC for $750,000 during the 2016 season.
With the NASL’s lawsuit against the U.S. Soccer Federation unsettled and the league most likely not returning to competition until the summer at the earliest, Miami FC decided it was in Poku’s best interests to play somewhere and the team to get something in return. Goal USA reported that it the deal was in the six-figure range, but not as high as the amount Miami FC paid for him.
Anzhi is 15th out of 16 teams in the RPL.
