Benbow - File

Defending Manning Cup champions, St George's College are set to lose one of their best players, as Cardel Benbow is poised to depart the island for Philadelphia.

The 18-year-old was expected to be one of St George's key players as they seek their 23rd hold on the symbol of urban area schoolboy football supremacy.

Benbow, who represented Jamaica in 2011 at the under-17 World Cup, is now set to join an academy which is affiliated to a Philadelphia-based MLS team.

The attacking midfielder brings to ten the number of starters from last season that St George's have lost mainly due to scholarships.

permanent basis

According to Star Sports sources the Philadelphia-based club is interested in securing Bendow's services on a permanent basis. Persons close to the youngster were, however, said to be sceptical due to the strict National Collegiate Athletic Association rules which states that if a player plays professionally he cannot get a scholarship. The concern arose in case the move falls through and Benbow is forced to return to the island and then finds himself in a position where he cannot get a scholarship to a university having played professionally.

The head of academy has, however, given assurances that it is definitely an amateur programme.

The St George's star man netted ten goals last year; including two in the semi-final match against Wolmer's, as he helped the 'light blues' to the Manning and Olivier Shield double.

Benbow, who moved to St George's in 2009 from Waterford High and sat out the 2010 competition, won five trophies during his time there - two Manning Cups, two Olivier Shields and one Walker Cup.

The fifth-form student had also got off to a flying start this year in the Manning Cup, as he scored two goals in Saturday's opening game against Camperdown to earn a 2-2 draw for St George's.

The Neville Bell-coached St George's will play their second game of the season away to Oberlin today at Golden Spring Field, but Benbow will play from the bench if he is available for the fixture.

Bell, though not able to speak to exactly when the player will leave, was able to confirm his impending departure.

"I don't know exactly when he will leave, but I am happy that something seems to be happening for him," Bell said. "Though I will miss him, I am very, very happy for him."