Korey Veeder Signs With Palace Batimore

Official Press Release

PALACE BALTIMORE SIGN U.S. YOUTH NATIONAL TEAM PLAYER

Korey Veeder Inks 3 Year Contract, Heading over To Europe to Develop

January 18th 2010 - Baltimore, MD - Crystal Palace Baltimore have signed 18-year old Korey Veeder to a three-year contract. The former US U-17 National Team midfielder/defender will spend the next several weeks training in Baltimore before heading over to Crystal Palace in London. The St. Petersburg, Florida native will then train with the English Championship club prior to a loan move to a continental European club, which will allow him to obtain E.U. work status. A further announcement will be made once the loan move has been finalized.

"We initially saw Korey two and a half years ago in a tournament in New Jersey and we recognized that he had special talent," stated Palace Baltimore's Sporting Director and Co-Head Coach Jim Cherneski, who also serves as Chief Scout for North America for Crystal Palace in London. "Six months after that, we sent him over to the UK where he spent two weeks being looked over by our Academy staff. We all liked him a lot and the London club wanted to keep him, but due to FIFA rules on age and work permits, we weren't able to bring him over at the time. But we have a good relationship with Peter Mannino, Director of Coaching at the Clearwater Chargers, so we were able to stay in close contact over the following two years.

Cherneski concluded: "We're very pleased with Korey's continued development and now we're excited to help launch his pro career. We believe he's a special player with special talent and we believe he's going to be a very good professional player."

Gary Issot, Coach of the London club's U-18 Academy team, remarked: "When Korey was over here 2 years ago, he did very well. He played in a friendly against Queens Park Rangers and did very well at right back. We were really impressed with his passing from full back and his technical quality. At the time we would have loved to have signed him, but we weren't able to make it happen. He's got a terrific attitude and looks like he could adapt to English football well. We were really encouraged by his performances."

Born October 3rd 1991, Veeder was a member of the elite US U-17 National Team residency program in Bradenton, Florida from 2007 to 2008, representing his country on 21 occasions. He is currently a member of the US U-18 National Team pool. Veeder was named to the NSCAA/ADIDAS All-American Team in 2007 and 2008. He played his club soccer with the Clearwater Chargers Soccer Club in Clearwater, Florida from 2005 to 2008.

"I've loved watching and playing soccer since I was very young," said Veeder. "I'd been hoping to get signed as a pro one day, so this is a dream come true. I'd love to get to play for Crystal Palace in London and then eventually play in the Premier League."