skip navigation

Bethlehem Brings Aboard Rayyan

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 02/26/19, 10:42AM EST

Share

Former Union Academy product was ACC Freshman of the Year at Duke last fall


New Bethlehem Steel FC signing Issa Rayyan was the 2018 ACC Freshman of the Year at Duke University.

CHESTER, Pa. – Bethlehem Steel FC announced on Tuesday it had signed midfielder Issa Rayyan to a USL Championship contract. An 18-year-old midfielder from Grand Blanc, Michigan, Rayyan joins Steel FC from Duke University. The deal is pending league and federation approval.

“We are very excited about signing Issa to the Steel,” said Philadelphia Union Sporting Director Ernst Tanner. “Issa has an awareness and excellent technical skill on the ball and we are happy to add another young prospect to the Steel. Issa has proven himself well at Duke and our Academy and we look forward to furthering his professional development with the Steel.”

Rayyan joins Steel FC directly from Duke University, where he was named the ACC Freshman of the Year in 2018. In his only season at Duke he made 20 appearances (19 starts), scored six goals and provided three assists. Rayyan’s signing also marks the second professional signing of a player that has completed the Union Academy’s Residency Program.

Rayyan has previous experience with Steel FC, making two appearances for the USL Championship side as an Academy signing before attending Duke. He is also making the jump to Bethlehem Steel FC from the Union Academy, where he totaled 66 appearances (49 starts) and 22 goals across four seasons (2015-2018) with the youth-arm of the Union. Rayyan tallied seven of his 22 goals in his last season with the Union Academy U18/19s.

“Issa joins Steel FC after a superb freshman season in college, where he surprised many observers but not those who worked with him in the Academy,” said Union Academy Director Tommy Wilson. “He has the ability to make and take chances, which together with his work rate will hopefully serve him well at the next level.”

Rayyan is Steel FC’s third Union Academy prospect to sign in 2019, joining defender Ben Ofeimu and fellow midfielder Zach Zandi.

Follow the USL Championship

Most Recent News

Most Read News

Latest Videos