Note: We were just talking about the possible signing of Ugo Okoli on the most recent episode of the podcast. You can listen to it here.
2016 USL Golden Boot Winner and League MVP to Join OCSC
Photo courtesy of Orange County SC
IRVINE, Calif. (FEBRUARY 19, 2020) – Orange County SC announced today the signing of striker Sean “Ugo” Okoli pending league and federation approval. Okoli spent the last two seasons in Europe with FK Jerv and Pinzgau Saalfelden.
“I couldn't be happier that we have come to terms with Ugo,” said OCSC Head Coach, Braeden Cloutier. “He has proven himself at the Championship level, with his time at Cincinnati, and we know that he can score goals. Ugo is a very strong center forward that can hold it up, link it and look to get in behind defenses. He's going to be a huge asset to our club this season.”
Okoli 27, came up in the Seattle Sounders Academy and in 2010 he was a member of the US U18 National Team. Okoli attended college at Wake Forest from 2011-2013 and continued to play with the Seattle Sounders FC U-23 team in the USL PDL. Okoli signed a professional contract with the Seattle Sounders in 2014 and made three appearances with the club in 2014 prior to being loaned to the Orange County Blues (OCSC) for the remainder of the season.
“It’s great to be back in the USL and playing for Orange County,” said Sean Okoli. “ I really learned a lot oversees and I came back because I believe OCSC is the best opportunity for me. I’m going to do everything I can to help the team win a championship!”
Okoli joined the USL in 2016 where he made 31 appearances for FC Cincinnati scoring 16 goals and earning himself the USL Golden Boot and USL Champions MVP. In 2017 Okoli returned to the MLS with NYCFC.
“We are very pleased to add former USL MVP Ugo Okoli to our talented roster,” said Oliver Wyss President of Soccer Operations. “Ugo is a first class professional who has the quality to be among the top forwards in the league. He will have a significant impact on and off the field and entertain our fans with his talent!”
Okoli brings a lot of excitement and experience to the front line and is expected to compliment a strong group of strikers alongside Thomas Enevoldsen and Darwin Jones. Okoli is eligible to make his OCSC debut when the club opens the season at home on Friday, March, 6th.
Per club policy, terms of player contracts with Orange County SC will not be released.
ABOUT ORANGE COUNTY SOCCER CLUB
Orange County Soccer Club is Orange County’s only professional soccer team that is part of the United Soccer League (USL), the fastest-growing Division II professional soccer league in the world. The USL is comprised of 35 teams across the United States. The team plays its home games at the Orange County Great Park’s Championship Soccer Stadium, located in Irvine, CA. Nestled in the heart of the Great Park, Championship Soccer Stadium has a capacity of over 5,000 for Orange County SC matches. Orange County SC was one of 12 founding members of the USL during its inaugural 2011 season. The preceding club, Orange County Blues, won the 2015 Western Conference Regular Season Championship and reached the Western Conference Semi-Finals of the USL Playoffs in back-to-back seasons. Team owner and Chief Investment Officer of LARO Properties, James Keston, purchased and re-branded the team in 2017. Keston, who actively oversees all operations of the team, is dedicated to providing a pathway to professional soccer and a world-class soccer organization that focuses on the fans, players and youth clubs of Orange County.
In December 2019, Orange County SC entered into a strategic partnership with Rangers FC from the Scottish Premier League.
For more information about Orange County Soccer Club, and to experience professional soccer in the OC, visit: http://www.orangecountysoccer.com. For more information about the United Soccer League, visit: http://www.uslsoccer.com.
