This past summer, Boston College and US U-20s center back Sacir Hot spent some time training with the New York Red Bulls before heading back to school.
The Fair Lawn, N.J., native also went through the Red Bulls Academy program and is considered one of the best young defenders in the US. Savvy and smooth on the ball, Hot at times looks and plays like a forward, according to observers who watched him train with Hans Backe's team in August.
Hot is back training with the pros again, though this time he's in Europe. The defender is currently training with German Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach in what is looking more and more like a trial plus educational sessions.
“BMG are very interested since they are not doing so well in the league right now and are lacking defenders,” Hot told MLSSoccer.com. “I’m actually playing in a game with their reserves on Tuesday versus Duisburg. If everything goes right, I could potentially sign with them.”
While he hasn’t signed an agent yet, Hot is clearly eyeing a professional contract while also keeping his NCAA eligibility.
A couple weeks ago, Hot trained with the US U-20s in what proved to be a difficult couple weeks for the player as he played throughout the camp while taking cortisone shots in his groin following an injury this fall.
He appears to be another young star from the Tri-State Area following in the footsteps of players such as Juan Agudelo and Matt Kassel, who both hail from New Jersey and have played in the Red Bulls' academy.
Another New Jersey product is US midfield star Michael Bradley, who now marshals the midfield for Mönchengladbach.
Having been a part of the New York's academy set-up since they were the MetroStars, Hot said would love to one day sign with the club. However, he's not quite sure where he'll end up.
“I have been told that MLS and the Red Bulls are very interested in signing me as a homegrown player,” Hot said.
Hot enjoyed his stint with the Red Bulls this summer and called it a good growing experience.
“The players were really welcoming, and Hans made it so clear to me that I was welcomed to the team," Hot said.
“As for training, I thought I fit in with the team," he added. "I believe I could be competing for a starting spot in the defense, to be honest. From what I’m hearing, Hans really likes me.”
If no offer comes from Mönchengladbach, Hot said he will progress to a similar stint with fellow Bundesliga first division side Borussia Dortmund.
Kristian R. Dyer can be followed at Twitter.com/KristianRDyer
