PORTLAND, Maine – Portland Hearts of Pine today announced the signing of 20-year-old midfielder Khalid Hersi to his first professional contract, pending league and federation approval. The Lewiston, Maine native is the first Mainer to join the club.
Born in Atlanta, Ga., Hersi moved to Lewiston at age two, where his passion for the game began at an early age being raised in a soccer-loving Somali family. He is one of six in his family to play soccer in Maine, and as a freshman at Lewiston High School, Hersi helped lead his team to the 2019 state final, where he played alongside his older brother, Bilal. On the club level, Hersi has played locally for USL League Two clubs Seacoast United Phantoms and GPS Portland Phoenix.
In 2023, Hersi joined NCAA Division III University of Southern Maine’s men’s soccer team as a freshman midfielder, playing 15 matches. Most recently, as captain of UPSL side Wahda United FC, Hersi’s performances earned him a spot on the UPSL Team of the Season…