First Ever MLIS Player Contract Goes to Nermin Crnkić

Shep Messing signed the first MISL contract in 1978, Brian Farber was the first player to sign with the PASL/MASL in 2008, and now the MLIS era begins with the signing of Nermin Crnkic. The former Europa League forward signed with Rapid City FC.

The 30-year old was born in Novi Grad and grew up in Michigan before embarking on an outdoor soccer career that saw him play for teams in Sweden, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and his native Bosnia and Herzegovina. Now he has a chance to play in his adopted hometown.

"Having spent a long time away from your family gets tough," Crnkic says. "I always wanted to play home or be closer to home and I’m just happy that I could sign for my hometown and play for them."

Crnkic, pronounced sirnick, promises a crowd-pleasing style. "I’m a very attack-minded player who always wants to go to goal and I love taking on players one-on-one," he proclaimed.