Phoenix Rising has signed goalkeeper Edward Delgado and forward Seyi Adekoya, pending league and federation approval, the club announced today.
“Edward is a fantastic young goalkeeper,” said Schantz. “We have watched him for a couple years. He has very good feet and is a great shot stopper. I expect to see him to develop immensely under Cory Robertson. Seyi is a powerful and very fast forward who brings a different quality to our attack. He has experience and is a wonderful person. I’m very happy to add him to our roster.”
Following an accomplished youth soccer career with Santa Barbara SC, Delgado, 23, played four seasons at NAIA side, Westmont College. The goalkeeper compiled a record of 40-15-7, with a 0.87 GAA in 64 career matches. After graduating in 2019, Delgado signed with Las Vegas Lights last season.
“I feel like I am taking a big jump in my career by joining Phoenix Rising,” said Delgado. “This club is the standard in USL. It has proven to be a championship-level side. I feel blessed to have this opportunity. I’m excited to keep growing and learning. I’m a bit younger than Zac [Lubin] and Andre [Rawls] but that’s not an excuse. I’m here to compete and to make the team better.”
Adekoya, 25, signed a Homegrown player contract with MLS side Sounders FC prior to the 2017 season after a three-year career at UCLA. He made two appearances for the Sounders that year before joining Vendsyssel FF in the Danish first division in 2018. Adekoya found the back of the net three times in 22 appearances, prior to stops in the Maltese first division with Balzan FC and back in Denmark with Thisted last season.
"I want to thank my family and friends for all the support and encouragement they've given me throughout the past year,” said Adekoya. “It has meant the world to me. Going abroad the past two years was very good for me. I was able to develop tactically. Players from Denmark are very focused on tactics from a young age. It helped me grow in ways I hadn’t been pushed before.
Phoenix is a high-level, talented team. When I got the opportunity to come in for the trial, I was very excited. I knew I was joining a team that won the West last year, but it is a good fit. The style of play matches my own. I like to press and win the ball high up the field. It’s a perfect fit for the player I have become.”
Name: Seyi Adekoya
Position: Forward
DOB: December 5, 1995 (25)
College: UCLA
HT: 5-9
WT: 170
Born: Seattle, Washington
Hometown: Seattle, Washington
Twitter: @seyimyname
Name: Edward Delgado
Position: Goalkeeper
DOB: January 23, 1998 (23)
College: Westmount
HT: 6-3
WT: 200
Born: Santa Barbra, California
Hometown: Oxnard, California
Twitter: @EdwardDOfficial
Phoenix Rising has signed goalkeeper Edward Delgado and forward Seyi Adekoya, pending league and federation approval, the club announced today.
“Edward is a fantastic young goalkeeper,” said Schantz. “We have watched him for a couple years. He has very good feet and is a great shot stopper. I expect to see him to develop immensely under Cory Robertson. Seyi is a powerful and very fast forward who brings a different quality to our attack. He has experience and is a wonderful person. I’m very happy to add him to our roster.”
Following an accomplished youth soccer career with Santa Barbara SC, Delgado, 23, played four seasons at NAIA side, Westmont College. The goalkeeper compiled a record of 40-15-7, with a 0.87 GAA in 64 career matches. After graduating in 2019, Delgado signed with Las Vegas Lights last season.
“I feel like I am taking a big jump in my career by joining Phoenix Rising,” said Delgado. “This club is the standard in USL. It has proven to be a championship-level side. I feel blessed to have this opportunity. I’m excited to keep growing and learning. I’m a bit younger than Zac [Lubin] and Andre [Rawls] but that’s not an excuse. I’m here to compete and to make the team better.”
Adekoya, 25, signed a Homegrown player contract with MLS side Sounders FC prior to the 2017 season after a three-year career at UCLA. He made two appearances for the Sounders that year before joining Vendsyssel FF in the Danish first division in 2018. Adekoya found the back of the net three times in 22 appearances, prior to stops in the Maltese first division with Balzan FC and back in Denmark with Thisted last season.
“I want to thank my family and friends for all the support and encouragement they’ve given me throughout the past year,” said Adekoya. “It has meant the world to me. Going abroad the past two years was very good for me. I was able to develop tactically. Players from Denmark are very focused on tactics from a young age. It helped me grow in ways I hadn’t been pushed before.
Phoenix is a high-level, talented team. When I got the opportunity to come in for the trial, I was very excited. I knew I was joining a team that won the West last year, but it is a good fit. The style of play matches my own. I like to press and win the ball high up the field. It’s a perfect fit for the player I have become.”
Name: Seyi Adekoya
Position: Forward
DOB: December 5, 1995 (25)
College: UCLA
HT: 5-9
WT: 170
Born: Seattle, Washington
Hometown: Seattle, Washington
Twitter: @seyimyname
Name: Edward Delgado
Position: Goalkeeper
DOB: January 23, 1998 (23)
College: Westmount
HT: 6-3
WT: 200
Born: Santa Barbra, California
Hometown: Oxnard, California
Twitter: @EdwardDOfficial
