SAN JOSE — The Earthquakes’ newest European player is a devout Muslim who dreamed of playing soccer in America.

Jahmir Hyka (HEE-ka) isn’t worried about any possible travel ban targeting Muslim-majority countries or reports such as the one about the son of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, who was detained for hours earlier this month at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

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“I never had a problem with that because I know America is an open country for everybody,” Hyka said Saturday during an introductory news conference. “If you are Muslim, Catholic or Jewish, I knew from the beginning I wouldn’t have a problem with that.”

Hyka, who turns 29 on March 8, wants to make a lasting first impression. He’s in San Jose to help shake up the Earthquakes’ offense after a four-year playoff drought. The Albanian is off to a strong start after burying a cross from Anibal Godoy on Saturday for his first goal in a Quakes uniform.

San Jose destroyed Sacramento Republic FC 4-1 in its final preseason match, scoring three times after halftime. Shea Salinas, Simon Dawkins and Danny Hoesen also had goals for the Quakes.

The Quakes plan to integrate the right-side midfielder into the starting lineup slowly. Hyka made his second appearance on Saturday. San Jose opens the 2017 Major League Soccer season next Saturday at Avaya Stadium against the Eastern Conference’s Montreal Impact.

Hyka didn’t know much about San Jose before his agent said the team was interested in a winger who had spent the past seven years at FC Luzern in Switzerland’s top league.

The 5-foot-7 player has wanted to play in MLS for a few years. He started with his hometown club in the Albanian capital Tirana at age 12. Since then Hyka played in Germany, Greece and Norway

“He adapts really well to new environments,” general manager Jesse Fioranelli said. “He left his mark in Europe.”

Hyka said he will find a Bay Area mosque through contacts in the local Albanian community, who have found him on social media. He won’t fast during Ramadan, May 25-June 26, because it coincides with the MLS season.

Here are some highlights of Hyka’s first news conference with Bay Area media:

On being given jersey No. 10, which signifies a soccer team’s on-the-field quarterback:

“One number is not so important. It’s like a myth and something nice for me. It’s not like something special.”

On Albanian soccer:

“Albanian football is also growing up like football in America. Last year, we reached European qualifying. We’ll get better as many talented players go to Europe or MLS. It’s a little bit like Balkan football in Serbia, Greece and Turkey. And Italian football. Our culture is Italian.”

On feeling a special responsibility to show the best of Albania:

“It is very important to show a little bit of what kind of football players Albanians are. But first, I want to help San Jose.”

On his first impressions of the Quakes:

“It was important for me, they were very nice guys. The quality is very good. I told Jesse, I was a little bit surprised because the quality is very high. Now, I have to adapt to the team. I have played on a lot of teams in Europe so I will bring some experience to this team.”

Notes

The Quakes have released forward Olmes Garcia, Fioranelli said Saturday. Garcia was selected in the MLS re-entry draft in the offseason but San Jose then signed three foreigners with better pedigrees.

Fioranelli said the team will keep rookie Lindo Mfeka of South Florida, but has decided against signing draft picks Christian Thierjung of Cal and Washington goalkeeper Auden Schilder, who is pursuing a job associated with his earth science degree.

The Quakes have not released an update on fullback Marvell Wynne’s heart condition. It’s unknown if he will be able to return.

Star Chris Wondolowski didn’t play Saturday because of an ankle injury. He said he will be ready for the season opener.