BRAMPTON— Growing up near a soccer field in Brampton, Adel Rahman and his younger brother Navid often had the chance to kick the ball around and dream of playing soccer together at the university level.

This fall they will get their chance as teammates at Niagara University. The two brothers, graduates of Mississauga Secondary School, are among the first six players committing this season to play for the Purple Eagles.

Both began their soccer careers with the Brampton Youth Soccer Club. The two have memories of playing plenty of soccer together and have developed a great rapport on the field.

“As kids we had the blessing of living a stone’s throw away from a soccer field,” said Navid. “During most days we would spend long hours kicking about and helping each other amend flaws in each others game.

“While inside the house our parents would allow us to play with smaller cushioned soccer balls, and we would do passing plays around furniture and test each others technique.”

As Ahmadi Muslims, they often played in tournaments organized by the community. As they got older, Navid— who is one year younger— would play an age up so that he could be a teammate with Adel, and the chemistry between the two developed.

“As we grew older our chemistry on the field was really high and was being noticed,” said Adel. He said they are both better players when they are playing together.

Both played club soccer with the Bryst Football Academy. In 2013 they took part in the Baltimore Showcase. Adel scored three goals during the tournament helping the team finish first. Navid had five assists.

In 2012 they helped their team win the Soccer Academy Alliance Canada (SAAC) League Cup championship. Navid had two goals in the final while Adel managed two assists.

Navid was the captain of the Mississauga Lions high school team that won the Turner Fenton Invitational tournament and made the Region of Peel Secondary School Athletic Association (ROPSSAA) semifinals.