The latest recruit for the Thompson Rivers University men’s soccer program comes in with a budding off-the-field career.

Burnaby’s Kyle Hansen has committed to the program this fall but it is his commitment to social media that makes him an intriguing character. For instance, his TikTok account has 1.2-million followers, while his videos have received over 27 million likes.

The 19-year-old also has another interesting pop-culture tie as his family billeted Canadian soccer star Alphonso Davies for five years while he was a member of the Whitecaps FC residency program.

“We used to make dance videos every night and post them on Instagram. That was a great memory I have of his time with us,” said Hansen.

Hansen plans to arrive in Kamloops in a month. He is yet to make up his mind on which program at TRU he’ll take.

Wolfpack Men’s head coach John Antulov is happy to land Hansen.

“He’s played with the Whitecaps FC residency program and with Fusion FC, so he’s played at a high level the past number of years,” he said. “He’s six-foot-three, quick… really good speed. He has a lot of really good physical attributes to be a really good striker at this level.”

Hansen tells NL Sports he’s drawn plenty of inspiration from his former house guest.

“[Alphonso] really inspired me. I saw him grow and then anyone can do that. All the hard work he put in,” Hansen said.