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Rhode Island FC signs Taimu Okiyoshi to first pro deal

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 01/16/25, 12:51PM EST

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Marshall University captain was key figure in side’s run to 2024 College Cup Final, MAC Hermann Semifinalist


Rhode Island FC has signed former Marshall University standout Taimu Okiyoshi to his first pro deal, with the Japanese midfielder coming off a run to the College Cup Final with the Thundering Herd. | Photo courtesy Marshall University Athletics

PAWTUCKET, R.I. – Rhode Island FC announced on Thursday it had signed midfielder Taimu Okiyoshi ahead of the 2025 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

The 23-year-old Kobe, Japan native joins the defending Eastern Conference title holders after featuring prominently at Marshall University in his college career. The two-year captain logged 5,408 minutes for the Thundering Herd and recorded three goals and eight assists in 63 appearances.

“Taimu adds real quality in possession and we are excited to integrate him into our team,” said Rhode Island FC Head Coach and General Manager Khano Smith. “He joins us after a very successful college career, bringing leadership and a winning mentality.”

Okiyoshi was the only player to start every game for Marshall in 2024 in the lead up to its second College Cup Final appearance in program history, going the full 90 minutes in all but four games and tallying a team-second-best four assists in 2,112 minutes.

Additionally, he earned a number of accolades for his contributions during his final collegiate season. He was named TopDrawerSoccer’s national best XI following the historic campaign, received United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-American honors, and was selected to the Sun Belt All-Conference First Team. After playing every minute of the 2024 NCAA tournament for the Thundering Herd, Okiyoshi was named to the College Cup All-Tournament team. Okiyoshi was also named a Mac Herman Trophy Semifinalist.

In addition to his college success, Okiyoshi also competed for Utah United in USL League Two during the 2024 campaign, taking him back to the state where his college career began at Salt Lake Community College in Salt Lake City, Utah. Okiyoshi started 38 games and tallied 13 goals and 12 assists in two seasons, including scoring a career-high seven goals en route to Salt Lake’s first-ever NJCAA National Championship.

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