COLUMBUS – Columbus Crew 2 today announced that it has signed defender Xavier Zengue [pronounced: zen-gay] to an MLS NEXT Pro professional contract, pending league and federation approval. Financial terms were not disclosed. Selected by the Crew in the First Round (27th overall) of the 2023 MLS SuperDraft, the 21-year-old joins the reigning MLS NEXT Pro champions following a four-year collegiate career at the University of Dayton.
“Xavier is an exciting, talented player who gained valuable experience training with the First Team throughout preseason,” said Crew 2 General Manger Corey Wray. “We are excited to see Xavier remain in Ohio as he takes this first step of his professional career, and we look forward to helping him develop and reach his potential within the Columbus Crew organization.”
The Crew acquired the 27th overall pick in the SuperDraft from the Houston Dynamo in exchange for $50,000 in 2023 General Allocation Money.
During his senior season at Dayton in 2022, Zengue started all 17 matches in which he appeared for the Flyers and finished the year with the second most minutes on the team with 1,526. In all, Zengue appeared in 57 total matches from 2019-22, registering two goals and eight assists.
For his efforts, Zengue was named to the A-10 All-Rookie Team in 2019 and A-10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll in 2021, and additionally captured Scholar All-America Second Team by the United Soccer Coaches, Second Team All-Southeast Region, First Team All-Ohio and Academic All-Ohio, and Second Team All-Conference honors in 2022.
The season schedule and ticketing information for Crew 2 home games will be released in the coming days.
TRANSACTION: Columbus Crew 2 signs MLS SuperDraft pick Xavier Zengue on March 8, 2023.
Name:Xavier Zengue
Pronunciation: zen-gay
Position: Defender
Height: 6’
Date of Birth: March 21, 2001, in Washington, D.C.
Hometown: North Oaks, Minn.
Citizenship: United States
Acquired: Columbus Crew 2 signs MLS SuperDraft pick Xavier Zengue on March 8, 2023.
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