Sporting Kansas City beat Schalke to sign winger Capita in $2.3M transfer

Sporting Kansas City have officially signed Angolan winger Capita Capemba from Polish club Radomiak Radom. Capita’s signing ends weeks of speculation surrounding the attacker’s potential move to the United States. According to reports, Sporting Kansas City beat German club Schalke to secure the transfer.

The winger arrives in Kansas City after making 20 appearances for Radomiak in the Ekstraklasa, scoring six goals and adding one assist. Sporting Kansas City paid a transfer fee of approximately $2.3 million to acquire Capita. The Angolan international has signed a contract that runs through the end of the 2028–29 MLS season, with the club holding an option for one additional year.

“We are excited to welcome Capita to Kansas City,” President of Soccer Operations and General Manager David Lee said. “Capita is a quick, direct and dynamic winger who will add an attacking threat to the squad, while his ability to play anywhere across the frontline will be valuable for our coaching staff. He joins us in the midst of an excellent season in Poland and already has extensive experience in multiple different leagues, clubs and countries. At the age of 24, Capita is another player who is choosing to represent Sporting KC for the prime years of his career.”

Arrival comes just in time

Capita last appeared for Radomiak on March 5 against Arka Gdynia. He scored in the final appearance for the club. Sporting Kansas City will hope the winger can quickly adapt to life in MLS once he becomes available for selection.

The addition of Capita increases the overall quality available to head coach Raphael Wicky and will also provide the team with greater tactical flexibility. Sporting Kansas City’s attack has already evolved during the early weeks of the MLS season, and Capita’s arrival could change how the team sets up in the months ahead.

The club’s transfer sale of Daniel Salloi altered Wicky’s 4-4-2 system that had been used during preseason preparations. Adding Capita to the starting lineup could allow Wicky to pick between wide players Calvin Harris or Shapi Suleymanov depending on the opponent and tactical approach.

Wicky could also continue with the 4-3-3-based system Sporting Kansas City used at times in the opening three matches. Capita would operate as a winger, potentially displacing either Suleymanov or Harris from the starting XI.

Harris has played an important role in both of Sporting Kansas City’s goals this season, which makes it unlikely that he would lose his place in the team. Instead, Harris could move back to the right side of the attack, a position that is generally considered his preferred flank.

Capita’s statistical profile

Capita’s statistical production in Poland provides insight into the type of player Sporting Kansas City are adding to the squad. In his 20 Ekstraklasa appearances for Radomiak, the winger made 17 starts and accumulated 1,319 minutes on the field.

Across those appearances, Capita recorded an expected goals total of 6.45 from 51 shots. Twenty-one of those attempts were on target, highlighting his willingness to attack the goal from wide areas.

Wicky will also hope Capita’s attacking output improves when playing alongside players such as Dejan Joveljic. Despite scoring six goals in Poland, Capita produced just one assist and an expected assists figure of 1.54. He created two big chances during the season and completed four crosses. Those numbers will hopefully improve in Kansas City.

Radomiak play in an attacking 4-3-3 formation that features one No. 6 and two No. 8s in central midfield. Within that system, Capita spent most of his time operating on the left wing, although he also featured on the right side of the attack. Radomiak currently sit 10th in the 18-team Ekstraklasa table.

A winger built for direct play

One of the statistics that may excite Sporting Kansas City supporters is Capita’s dribbling ability. During his Ekstraklasa appearances, the winger recorded 28 successful dribbles with a success rate of 58.3%.

Both Lee and Wicky have emphasized building a team with speed and directness in wide areas, and Capita’s profile fits that approach. The Angolan winger should add another dimension to Sporting Kansas City’s attack as the squad continues to take shape.

With three MLS games already completed, Sporting Kansas City now have 23 players under contract. The roster is still gradually coming together as the club continues to reshape the squad during the early stages of the season.