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Written Jan 13 2025
RSL Signs Kobi Henry
RSL Signs Kobi Henry
Real Salt Lake have signed 20 year old American CB Kobi Henry on loan from the French team Stade de Reims for the 2025 season. At face level Kobi is 6'2 and right footed. However he can play on both sides of a center back pairing. He transferred from Orange County SC to Stade de Reims in 2022 when he turned 18 for a USL record fee (roughly 700K after fees) that was later broken by RSL legend Diego Luna. In the last 2 years Kobi has played 38 games in France in the 3rd tier, cup matches, and assorted academy matches. Kobi has 7 appearances with youth national team outfits. He was also called up to the Senior team for a camp in December 2021. He did not appear in a match. He will be transferring to Real Salt Lake with an option to buy. The news of this loan was broken by Tom Bogert (@tombogert).
Analysis
Analysis
Kobi broke out in the USL and showed true ability at a young age, starting real games against adults competing for contracts as a 16 year old. He was quickly scooped up on a pre contract by Stade de Reims and joined the team later when he turned 18. He never made an appearance for their first team. This raises the question, "If he was so highly rated why did he never play? Why would they sign him?" The answer is pretty simple. PLAYER PROFILE.
RSL have had center back talents before. People might immediately think of someone like Jaziel Orozco, who put in some great performances at a young age. However, his talent never really played out. A lot of that specific situation had to do with player profile. Jazi was 5'8, and lacked the physical attributes to be an MLS center back. There are other players who have the size like Erik Holt who could never develop past being error prone. Kobi was signed and scouted because he has the potential to be the best of both worlds. He showed poise on the ball as an actual child while also having the stature to compete with adults athletically. He has all the upside we could hope for.
The question still remains, "Why did he never play? Is he a bust?" I can't answer that for you. But I can draw parallels and give our new signing some excuses. Virgil Van Dijk, the best defender in the history of the Premier League spent two years playing for the Willem 2 academy team because he tired himself out in the academy games. He made his senior debut for Groningen at 20, the same age as Kobi. The current #1 American CB prospect Noahkai Banks made his first appearance for FC Augsburg in Germany this weekend. Was this because he's one of the best CB's on their roster? The answer is no, he came off the bench because 3 of their center backs are injured and another player came off injured in the first half. Sometimes, a player in his position requires a mix of ability, timing, and opportunity to thrive. I believe if we give Kobi these opportunities he can compete for minutes in this team.
I don't see him taking a starting spot from J Glad or Vera. But I do see him competing with Philip Quinton and new signing Sam Junqua. With a low salary hit I am really hopeful about this depth signing.
If you want to learn more about our signing. I recommend you listen to his interview on the Total Soccer Show in 2022.
Roster Construction Notes
Roster Construction Notes
Kobi Henry is not a homegrown, generation adidas player, or on a draft pick contract. As such he will occupy a senior roster slot. His salary and the share RSL will be covering of his salary is unknown. There are players on the Stade de Reims senior team earning less than 100,000$ as such I will be assigning Kobi a league minimum contract on the roster sheet.
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