Shamit Shome PHOTO: TONY LEWIS/FC EDMONTON

In what is a unique deal, FC Edmonton has received a transfer fee from MLS for the rights to teenage standout Shamit Shome.

FCE owner Tom Fath said the deal was completed Tuesday. Shome will become one of the new class of Canadian Generation Adidas player and be eligible for the upcoming SuperDraft.

“It’s exciting,” said Fath. “We are very proud of our academy developing Shamit here in Edmonton; that led to an opportunity with FC Edmonton’s first team, to achieving this honour.”

Fath wouldn’t disclose how much the Eddies received from MLS, but he said “it’s an exciting moment in the team’s history.”

Shome played 26 games for the Eddies last season, and balanced his playing career with his studies at the University of Alberta. He actually wrote exams and played in the same week. He captained the Canadian U-20 team last season and was part of the squad that beat Marcus Rashford and England. Shome said he hopes, if situation allows, that he can still take a couple of courses and keep up with his schooling after he makes the move to an MLS side, though he understands that soccer comes first.

“It all came together pretty quickly, to be honest,” said Shome. He said it wasn’t till a couple of days ago that the move to MLS went from being a dream to a real possibility. “It’s really exciting for me, a chance to go and take my game to the next level.”

Shome is an intelligent midfielder who thinks through the game at a level beyond his age. He’s a great passer of the ball and will likely be one of the hot properties at the SuperDraft. If picked, he’ll join what’s becoming a healthy contingent of Edmonton-bred players in MLS, along with the likes of Alphonso Davies and Tosaint Ricketts.

“I think Edmonton deserves to be recognized for the great players it produces,” said Shome. “I’m very proud to be representing Edmonton; Edmonton will always be my home.”

The deal is unique; usually, Generation Adidas deals go to players who aren’t under existing pro contracts that require transfer fees to shake them loose. It’s a testament to highly Shome is rated amongst the top youth players on the continent. As well, Shome was with the University of Alberta Golden Bears before he signed his pro deal with the Eddies, so it’s a big moment for the CIS to have one of its prospects potentially be a high MLS draft pick.

And, for FCE, this marks the first time the team has received transfer money from MLS. At the end of 2012, a deal was in the works to send then-Eddie Shaun Saiko to the Montreal Impact, but it was aborted. But, if the NASL does survive into 2017 and beyond, it needs to improve its relationship with MLS so more transfers can occur, as they can provide smaller clubs with revenue streams they need.

FCE assistant coach and academy head Jeff Paulus said the deal is a fantastic achievement for the organization.

“It benefits Shamit incredibly, and it also benefits the club and, in particular, our academy,” said Paulus. “If this can become the norm for us every couple of years, the Academy will continue to grow and reward Tom and Dave Fath for their continuing support of this program.”

Coach Colin Miller said that on one hand, he’s disappointed to see Shome leave the club, but he is thrilled that the player has been picked for such an honour.

“Congratulations to Shamit. It speaks volumes to the quality of the the player and the work that young man has put in to get to the next level… I think it shows that we are one of the best in North America at what we do [developing players] considering the resources we have.”

Miller said he now needs to fill a first-team hole in the roster. But, he’s already spoken to two separate agents about midfield possibilities.

“I can’t thank FC Edmonton enough for all they’ve done for me; Colin, Jeff and Tom,” said Shome.