New St Louis City signing Njabulo Blom admits working under a South African coach will bode well for his first move abroad.
Blom, 23, completed a move from Kaizer Chiefs to the new Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise on a two-year deal this week after months of speculation surrounding his long-term future.
With the player in the final six months of his contract, speculation was rife that he could pen a pre-contract with a DStv Premiership rival, but he’s since made a transfer for an undisclosed fee to play under former Amakhosi left-back Carnell.
Carnell, a former Bafana Bafana defender, is considered one of the most promising coaches in the US at present and his cultural background is something Blom is banking on as he looks to settle in early before the season starts in February.
“It’s an advantage that the coach [Carnell] is South African and understands the culture,” he told the club’s media team.
“It’s a bonus for me because he has played for Chiefs and he knows everything about South African players. It’s a blessing for me to have a coach who played in South Africa.
Chiefs founding Chairman, Dr. Kaizer Motaung Snr has a history in the USA top-flight, which Blom also noted as a source of inspiration.
“I do know he played for Atlanta Chiefs and, if I’m not mistaken, he once won the Rookie of the Year award in the NASL. He has left a legacy in the USA.”
The South Africa international now joins compatriots Ntsiki Ntsabeleng (FC Dallas) and Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota United) in America’s top division.
