Kamron Habibullah Explained

Kamron Habibullah
Birth Date:23 October 2003
Birth Place:Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Height:1.72 m
Position:Forward
Currentclub:Sporting Kansas City II
Clubnumber:47
Youthclubs1:South Burnaby Metro SC
Youthclubs2:Burnaby Selects
Youthclubs3:Mountain United FC
Youthyears4:2016–2021
Youthclubs4:Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Years1:2021–2023
Clubs1:Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Caps1:3
Goals1:0
Years2:2022
Clubs2:Pacific FC (loan)
Caps2:14
Goals2:0
Years3:2023
Clubs3:Whitecaps FC 2 (loan)
Caps3:18
Goals3:4
Years4:2024–
Caps4:17
Goals4:8
Nationalyears1:2019
Nationalteam1:Canada U17
Nationalcaps1:8
Nationalgoals1:3
Nationalyears2:2022
Nationalteam2:Canada U20
Nationalcaps2:5
Nationalgoals2:2
Club-Update:July 28, 2024
Nationalteam-Update:June 26, 2022

Kamron Habibullah (کامرون حبیب الله, Uzbek: Kamron Habibulloh; born October 23, 2003) is a Canadian professional soccer played as a forward for Sporting Kansas City II in MLS Next Pro. Born in Uzbekistan, he has represented Canada at the under-17 and under-20 level.

Early life

Habibullah was born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan to Afghan Uzbek parents and emigrated to British Columbia, Canada with his family at the age of two. He played youth soccer at age seven with South Burnaby Metro SC, and later played with Burnaby Selects, and Mountain United FC. He joined the Whitecaps academy system in 2016 at the age of 12. He went on to score 21 goals in 58 appearances from U-16 to U-19, netting four goals at the 2019 Generation Adidas Cup and scoring the winning goal against Real Madrid Academy.[1]

Club career

After spending the duration of the preseason with the first team, it was announced on April 23, 2021, that Vancouver Whitecaps FC would be signing Habibullah to a multi-year MLS homegrown contract.[2] He made his first team debut the following week, replacing Caio Alexandre in the 88th minute of a 1–0 loss to the Colorado Rapids.[3] In March 2022, Habibullah went on loan with Canadian Premier League side Pacific FC.[4] He made his debut in Pacific's season-opener against Forge FC on April 10.[5] After the 2023 season, Habibullah's contract option for the 2024 season would be declined by the Whitecaps, ending his time with the club.[6]

In March 2024, he signed with Sporting Kansas City II in MLS Next Pro.[7] He made his debut on March 24 against Ventura County FC.[8] On April 7, 2024, he scored a hat trick (including his first goal for the club) in a 5-3 victory over Colorado Rapids 2.[9]

International career

His parents' Afghan link and his Uzbek ancestry, himself belonging to the Uzbek Afghan minority, means Kamron is available to play for either Canada, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.

Habibullah was first called up to a Canada U17 national camp in March 2019 by head coach Andrew Olivieri, in preparation for the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup. He went on to score three goals in qualifying and appeared three times for Canada at the U-17 World Cup finals.

In April 2022, Habibullah was called up to the Canadian Under-20 side for two friendly matches against Costa Rica.[10] He scored a goal in the first friendly on April 15.[11] In June 2022, he was officially called up by the Canadian U-20 team for the 2022 CONCACAF U-20 Championship.[12]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeaguePlayoffsNational CupContinentalTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Vancouver Whitecaps FC2021Major League Soccer30000030
Pacific FC (loan)2022Canadian Premier League140200000160
Whitecaps FC 2 (loan)2023MLS Next Pro18400184
Sporting Kansas City II2024MLS Next Pro670067
Career total41112000004311

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kamron Habibullah profile . Vancouver Whitecaps FC . May 2, 2021.
  2. Web site: VWFC sign Habibullah to MLS homegrown contract . Vancouver Whitecaps FC . May 2, 2021.
  3. Web site: Rapids 1, Whitecaps 0: Undefeated start comes to a halt . The Province . May 2, 2021.
  4. Web site: Charlie O'Connor-Clarke . Pacific FC acquires Kamron Habibullah on loan from Whitecaps . . March 11, 2022 . March 11, 2022.
  5. Pacific FC. pacificfccpl. 1513320674093408262. 85' Substitution Off: Marco Bustos, Nathan Mavila On: Kamron Habibullah, Jordan Haynes Captain's armband now goes to TMG, and Habibullah makes his club debut!. April 10, 2022. April 10, 2022.
  6. Web site: Vancouver Whitecaps FC announce 2024 roster updates. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. November 10, 2023.
  7. Web site: Sporting KC II signs 20-year-old Canadian forward Kamron Habibullah. March 7, 2024. Sam. Kovzan. Sporting Kansas City.
  8. Web site: SKC II Recap: Sporting KC II suffers defeat to Ventura County FC in 2024 home opener. March 24, 2024. Jared. Belzer. Sporting Kansas City.
  9. Web site: SKC II Recap: Kamron Habibullah hat trick leads Sporting KC II to stunning 5-3 comeback win over Rapids 2. Sporting Kansas City. April 8, 2024. Sam. Kovzan.
  10. Web site: Canada Soccer announces men's U-20 national team camp can matches for April. April 5, 2022. Canadian Soccer Association.
  11. Web site: Canadian men's under-20 soccer team features some very familiar names. Neil. Davidson. April 15, 2022. North Shore News.
  12. Web site: Four 'Caps have joined Canada's men's U-20 side for Concacaf U-20 Championships in Honduras. . June 10, 2022.