If you have spent any time around a soccer pitch in the St. Louis area, you probably know these names – Twellman, Renken, and Kafedzic.
By bringing on former professional soccer players Tim Twellman, Charles Renken, and Elvir Kafedzic – three local soccer experts with deep ties to the St. Louis community – St. Louis CITY SC continues to build on its best-in-class sporting department.
Twellman, Renken, and Kafedzic will all work together as Sporting Community Relations Consultants and assist St. Louis CITY Sporting Director Lutz Pfannenstiel in constructing the club’s on-field operations and developing its youth academy.
“There’s so much home-grown talent in St. Louis,” said Pfannenstiel. “It’s amazing having Tim, Charles, and Elvir to help establish meaningful relationships with soccer organizations throughout the region and scout and analyze local talent across all levels.”
Tim Twellman is a St. Louis native who brings a lifetime of experience to the club. After attending St. Louis University High School and SIUE, Twellman went on to play professionally in both the North American Soccer League (NASL) and Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL). He is the father of former USMNT forward and current ESPN soccer analyst Taylor Twellman. In addition to his new role with St. Louis CITY SC, he will continue to serve as the Varsity Head Coach at Villa Duchesne High School and the Director of Twellman Soccer Academy.
Charles Renken was born in Lusaka, Zambia, before moving to America at age 9 and settling with his family in Edwardsville, IL. He played with local organizations Metro United and Scott Gallagher Soccer Club before going on to play professional soccer for nine years, in the US with the Portland Timbers and internationally with TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. During his stint in the Bundesliga, Renken also made a distinct impression on the Hoffenheim Head of International Relations and Scouting – Lutz Pfannenstiel. His reputation for developing the skillset of young St. Louis soccer players will be a huge asset in his new role with the club.
Elvir Kafedzic was born in Bosnia but eventually relocated to St. Louis at age 16 because of the Bosnian War. He attended Affton High School and helped Lindenwood University win its first and only NAIA National Championship before going on to play professionally for various teams, including the St. Louis Steamers, California Cougars, and the St. Louis Strikers where he played alongside his close friend and fellow Bosnian Vedad Ibišević. In 2013, he established the St. Louis Dragons youth soccer club, allowing him to share his knowledge of the game with players throughout the region.
In addition to scouting and analyzing soccer talent across all levels, their biggest task will be making and maintaining connections with clubs, schools, teams, and the broader soccer community throughout Missouri and neighboring states.
We couldn’t be more excited for Tim, Charles, and Elvir to join our club.
