Guiseley duo Connor Ferguson and Freddie Westfall land US soccer breaks

Key Points

• Connor Ferguson, a 21-year-old full-back, has departed Guiseley to join Portland Timbers 2 in the MLS Next Pro league’s Pacific Division.
• Ferguson joined Guiseley from Leeds United in the summer after impressing on trial following his release from Elland Road.
• He made 26 appearances for Guiseley this season before securing this move.
• Taylor Bowen left Guiseley for the United States in October, marking another young Lion heading abroad.
• Defender Freddie Westfall, a teenager and former Guiseley Academy captain, has been signed by Sports Recruiting USA (SRUSA) Elite Academy for college soccer opportunities in America.
• Westfall is not yet a first-team regular at Guiseley’s Nethermoor ground, making this an ideal chance for development.
• He gained vital experience on dual registration with Steeton in the North West Counties Football League First Division North.
• Prior to that, Westfall spent several years in Sheffield Wednesday’s academy.
• Westfall is noted for not being shy of putting in a tackle, positioning him as an asset to any college side.

Guiseley, West Yorkshire (Guiseley AFC News) January 16, 2026 – Connor Ferguson has left Guiseley to seize an exciting opportunity in America with Portland Timbers 2, while teenage defender Freddie Westfall, a former Steeton player and ex-Guiseley Academy captain, has earned a life-changing chance with the Sports Recruiting USA Elite Academy.

The departures highlight a trend of young talents from the Northern Premier League Premier Division side venturing across the Atlantic for professional growth. Ferguson, a 21-year-old full-back, featured prominently in 26 appearances this season after joining from Leeds United. Westfall, still early in his first-team journey, brings tenacity and academy pedigree to his American prospect.

Who is Connor Ferguson and What Led to His Move to Portland Timbers?

Connor Ferguson, the 21-year-old full-back, joined Guiseley from Leeds United in the summer following an impressive trial after his release from Elland Road. He quickly established himself, making 26 appearances for the Lions this season. Ferguson has now signed for Portland Timbers 2, who compete in the Pacific Division of the MLS Next Pro league, a professional development pathway affiliated with Major League Soccer.

This move represents a significant step up for Ferguson, transitioning from non-league football in West Yorkshire to a competitive US setup. The MLS Next Pro league offers exposure to high-level competition, potentially paving the way for further advancement within the Portland Timbers organisation. Guiseley supporters will rue the loss of a player who contributed steadily at Nethermoor.

What Opportunity Awaits Freddie Westfall in America?

Freddie Westfall, a teenage centre-back and former Guiseley Academy captain, has been snapped up by the Sports Recruiting USA (SRUSA) Elite Academy. This programme allows young footballers, often from the UK, the chance to play college soccer in America, combining athletic development with educational opportunities. Still only just beginning his journey in first-team football, Westfall is understandably not yet a first-team regular at Nethermoor.

Not shy of putting in a tackle, former Guiseley Academy captain Freddie Westfall would be an asset to any college side out in America. The SRUSA Elite Academy provides a platform for prospects like Westfall to showcase their skills against top college talent, often leading to scholarships and professional contracts. His move later this year underscores Guiseley’s role in nurturing talent destined for bigger stages.

What Experience Does Westfall Bring from His Early Career?

Westfall gained vital experience under his belt with Steeton in the North West Counties Football League First Division North, while there on dual registration. Before then, he spent several years in Sheffield Wednesday’s academy, honing his defensive skills at a professional youth level. This background equips him well for the physical and tactical demands of US college soccer.

Who is Taylor Bowen and How Does His Move Fit the Pattern?

Taylor Bowen left Guiseley and made the move to the States in October, becoming the first of this trio to head overseas. Another young Lions ace, Bowen’s departure set the precedent for Ferguson and Westfall, illustrating a growing pipeline from Guiseley to American opportunities. Details on Bowen’s specific destination remain focused on his timing, but it aligns with the club’s emerging trend of exporting talent.

Guiseley, competing in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, has become a launchpad for ambitious youngsters seeking international exposure. Bowen’s exit in October highlights the swift progression possible for players breaking through at this level.

Why Are These Moves Described as Chances of a Lifetime?

These opportunities in America offer unparalleled development paths not readily available in the crowded English non-league system. For Ferguson, MLS Next Pro provides professional minutes and scouting visibility in a league designed for growth. Portland Timbers 2, as a reserve side for the MLS club, boasts facilities and coaching that rival higher tiers back home.

Westfall’s SRUSA pathway blends soccer with NCAA college prospects, a model successful for many British exports. College soccer in the US emphasises athleticism and endurance, suiting Westfall’s tackling prowess. Such moves can lead to full scholarships, pro contracts, or even international call-ups, far exceeding typical progression at Guiseley.

Bowen’s earlier success further validates this route, proving American ventures yield returns. In an era where non-league players chase slim odds for full-time deals, these transatlantic leaps represent transformative prospects.

How Has Guiseley Supported These Players’ Development?

Guiseley provided Ferguson a platform post-Leeds United, where he impressed on trial and earned 26 outings. For Westfall, the club offered first-team exposure despite his youth, supplemented by dual registration at Steeton. The Lions’ academy, under which Westfall captained, instilled leadership and resilience.

Nethermoor Park has been a proving ground, yet the club recognises limitations for teenagers like Westfall. Releasing players to elite American programmes demonstrates strategic foresight, enhancing Guiseley’s reputation as a talent exporter. This approach benefits individuals while attracting recruits eyeing global pathways.

What Background Do These Players Share with Local Football?

Ferguson’s journey from Leeds United’s youth ranks to Guiseley mirrors many non-league tales of perseverance. Elland Road’s release spurred his trial success, leading to consistent starts. Westfall’s Sheffield Wednesday academy stint adds pedigree, with Steeton’s lower-tier physicality building match readiness.

Steeton, in the North West Counties First Division North, offered Westfall gritty experience ideal for his combative style. These local ties root the story in Yorkshire football’s ecosystem, where academies feed into semi-pro sides like Guiseley.

What Does This Mean for Guiseley AFC’s Future?

Losing Ferguson, Bowen, and Westfall tests Guiseley’s squad depth in the Northern Premier League. However, it elevates the club’s profile, potentially drawing more trialists from bigger academies. Success stories abroad could inspire youth intake, fostering a virtuous cycle.

Fans at Nethermoor will miss Ferguson’s reliability and Westfall’s potential, but the moves affirm Guiseley’s developmental ethos. As these players chase dreams in America, the Lions continue grinding in West Yorkshire, embodying non-league resilience.

Broader Context: Trends in British Players Moving to US Soccer

British non-league talents increasingly eye America for structured pathways absent domestically. MLS Next Pro, like Ferguson’s destination, mirrors Europe’s second tiers with pro contracts. College soccer, Westfall’s route, has produced stars like England’s Tammy Abraham via Bristol City links.

SRUSA’s model targets UK prospects, leveraging visa ease and scholarships. Bowen’s October move exemplifies timing, often post-season for seamless transitions. These shifts challenge English football’s insularity, offering lifetime opportunities amid domestic saturation.