Ethiopian youngster gets Melbourne contract

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SYDNEY, Feb 26, 2010 (AFP) - New Australian A-League club Melbourne Heart have signed young Ethiopian refugee and Australian Institute of Sport graduate Kamal Ibrahim, officials said on Friday.

Ibraham, who arrived in Australia with his mother, two sisters and three brothers from Ethiopia in 2003, has been a regular in the national youth set-up for the past two years.

The skilful winger has signed a multi-year deal to become the seventh player to sign for Melbourne Heart FC following the recent announcements of former Dutch youth international Rutger Worm and Socceroo goalkeeper Clint Bolton.

Dutch coach John van 't Schip said Ibrahim was a raw talent but possessed exciting attacking qualities.

"Kamal has shown talent in the National Youth League, and while he is still very raw and will still need to work very hard, he has some very interesting and exciting qualities," he said.

"He has overcome a lot to reach this point in his career and knows this is just the start of his story, not the end, and its one I'm sure all Melbourne Heart FC and A-League supporters will enjoy following."

Ibrahim played an integral role in Australia's run to the quarter-finals of the 2008 AFC Asian Under-16 championships, scoring a virtuoso goal in the team's 2-1 win over China.