FRISCO - There's a new, but familiar face in training as FC Dallas kicks off the third week of preseason camp.
Kevin Ellis, who has played 68 games over the last five seasons for Sporting KC after signing a Homegrown contract in 2011, is in Frisco this week training with FC Dallas on trial from Sporting. The 26-year-old defender was announced by SKC as being under contract for the 2018 season during their post-2017 roster moves press release, but was reported to have a falling out with his hometown club last season, including taking an indefinite leave of absence.
“It’s an honor to be here. I can’t thank these guys enough for having me in and I’m excited to get back to training, get back to soccer and get back to playing,” Ellis said Monday. “The only thing I’ve heard here is just to go out there and do what I know how to do…The other stuff will hopefully take care of itself.”
“Kevin is providing us the opportunity to see him closely here and see how he fits into our system,” head coach Oscar Pareja said, noting Ellis’ flexibility to play both in the middle and as a right back. “He’s someone who has experience already - being young still - who knows the league and knows the system. All of those things are a bonus for us to have someone who can come and give us that privilege to see him. We respect him, but at the same time we invited him to camp to see how things look for him and us.”
Should FCD choose to keep Ellis for the 2018 season, they would have to acquire his contract from Sporting KC.