After successfully going through and passing Kotoko's stringent and detailed medicals and fitness tests, young prodigy, Lukeman Kasim, has signed a four year deal that will see him ply his skill at Kotoko and in the fantabulous Red Jersey up to the 2015/16 season.

Lukeman was spotted by Kotoko scouts at Corners Babies in Kumasi and had been on Kotoko's radar since the second round of last season.

Very well aware of Kotoko's interest in him, the 17 years old left-winger has used every opportunity that comes his way to prove himself worthy of a Kotoko shirt.

It was therefore not a surprise that in a recent inter suburb football gala held at the Asem School Park in Kumasi, Lukeman played so well that his skill and performance did not only convince the Kotoko scouts at the gala of his abilities, but also brought in other suitors for his services.

Many Premier division clubs started expressing interests in him and others went further to make bids at Corners Babies for him. Hearts of Oak and Mediama FC were the top liners of the clubs that also made frantic efforts which including making outrageous cash offers for the players.

But as always, the superior Kotoko brand and attraction prevailed with the player clearly telling his club to ignore all other interests in him except that of Kotoko.

It is based on his interest to associate himself with a superior brand and club that Kotoko and Corners Babies last Sunday evening concluded the signing of the player, having already completed the personal terms with him.

Earlier on Friday morning, Lukeman went to the Baba Yara Stadium to meet Physicals instructor, Awadu Nuhu and Team doctor, Kwaku Boateng who took him through physicals and medical tests.

The program for the tests among others included a Cooper Test, physical endurance and muscle tests, and other detailed medical tests to ensure that he met the medical standards of the club.

During especially the medical tests where he underwent ECG and Ultrasound scans on his internal organs and the taking of his blood samples, Lukeman was clearly nervous and so Dr. Boateng had to re-counsel him to allay fears that he may be harboring.

Speaking to Kotoko Express after the program, Lukeman confirmed our observation of his apprehension.

“You rightly saw that I was nervous and this was because it was the first time I was seeing and undergoing such a comprehensive test. This is the first time I have seen a Ghanaian club take a player through all these. I thought it was only European clubs that did that”.

“The main reason of my apprehension was that, I did not want anything to come between me and my quest to play for Kotoko, so when I was only taken through the tests without being told anything on the results, I was eager to know”.

“Now that I have passed, I am going to brace myself up for the Kotoko challenge and I know I will prevail,” he assured.

By David Kyei