Derby County's 21-year-old American forward Conor Doyle is set to join the Colorado Rapids for training this week. The U.S. youth international, who last week re-signed with the English club, will arrive from his hometown of Dallas, Texas on Thursday afternoon and is expected to begin practicing with the Rapids on Friday.
"Doyle's reciprocal training visit is part of our partnership with Derby County," Rapids President Tim Hinchey told ColoradoRapids.com. "We have a great relationship and respect for Derby manager Nigel Clough and his staff, and are looking forward to providing Conor the same opportunities that Derby showed our players during our offseason."
Last December, Rapids players Martin Rivero, Chris Klute, Tony Cascio, and Andre Akpan spent a week training with Derby County and played in a scrimmage against Notts County.
After excelling at club powerhouse Dallas Texans - where he was teammates with Rapids rookie Dillon Powers - Doyle was set to play on scholarship at Creighton University in the fall of 2010. However he instead signed with the Championship side as an 18-year-old that summer after impressing on a second trial.
Doyle and Powers have known each other for many years. Doyle's father, David, and Powers' dad, Mike, were long-time teammates with the popular Dallas indoor pro soccer team, the Dallas Sidekicks. In addition to being teammates with the Texans, the younger Doyle and Powers were part of the U.S. U-20 National Team at the 2011 CONCACAF Championships.
The 6-2 forward, who has made 24 first-team appearances for the Rams, signed a one-year extension with Derby County last week. In announcing the new deal, the club posted on their official website: "Doyle will remain part of the Under 21 squad for next season, although it is hoped Doyle will go out on loan to gain first-team experience."
Watch: Doyle scores for the U.S. U-20 against Guatemala
