Kaleb Kopytin, a 16-year-old football player from the USA, recently moved to Kyrgyzstan and signed a contract with the club 'Ilbirs', according to information from the team's press service.
The 'Ilbirs' club has already introduced the new player, who will be part of the team considered the backbone of the junior national team of Kyrgyzstan.
Previously, Kopytin played in several friendly matches for the Kyrgyzstan U-17 national team, which was possible without the need to change his sporting citizenship, and even managed to score a goal.
It is important to note that according to FIFA rules, a player cannot sign a contract with a foreign club until they reach 18 years of age; however, Kaleb managed not only to obtain Kyrgyz citizenship but also to change his sporting status.
Kaleb is a descendant of Kyrgyz people, which allowed him to obtain a passport through a simplified procedure, and in such situations, FIFA does not impose obstacles to changing sporting citizenship.
