Kaleb Kopytin, a 16-year-old football player from the United States, recently moved to Kyrgyzstan to join the 'Ilbirs' team. This was reported by the club's press service.
The 'Ilbirs' club has already introduced the new player, who will become an important part of the junior national team of Kyrgyzstan.
Previously, Kopytin had already played in several friendly matches for the Kyrgyzstan U-17 national team, which is allowed without the need to change sports citizenship. In these games, he even scored a goal.
According to FIFA rules, players generally cannot sign contracts with foreign clubs until they reach 18 years of age, except in rare cases. This means that Kaleb not only obtained Kyrgyz citizenship but also changed his sports legal status.
Kopytin is a descendant of Kyrgyz emigrants, which allowed him to obtain a passport through a simplified process, and FIFA does not hinder the change of sports citizenship in such situations.
