Brendan Hines-Ike joins Belgian side KV Kortrijk

Twenty-three-year old American centerback Brendan Hines-Ike has sealed a move from Swedish team Orebro S.K. to Belgian top division side K.V. Kortrijk, signing a 5 year contract.

Brian Sciaretta reports that Hines-Ike’s $750,000 transfer fee makes him the most expensive signing in Kortrijk’s history.

Hines-Ike had previously been linked with a move to the Eredivisie. His new club Kortrijk finished 7th during the 2017/2018 Belgian regular season, in part thanks to the performances of American loanee Erik Palmer-Brown.

Hines-Ike was a top college defender who spent three years with Creighton and one with the University of South Florida before heading to Sweden.

He has been one of the top centerbacks in Sweden since turning turning pro with Orebro in 2016. He was a fixture in the team’s starting lineup this season appearing in 13 out of 14 league matches. Despite Hines-Ike’s excellent play, Orebro sits 9th (out of 16) in the Allsvenskan.

Hines-Ike has yet to be called-up by the United States Men’s National Team, but did take part in several U-18 national team camps as a teenager. He has expressed interest in playing for the Irish National Team (he is close to receiving his citizenship) and is expected to be selected when eligible.

Is this a good move? Should the USMNT cap Hines-Ike?