Lagos-born midfielder Emmanuel Iwe has become the first player from MLS Next Pro to complete a transfer to the MLS.
Iwe, 22, has signed a year’s contract with Minnesota United with the MLS club having the option to extend for the 2024-2026 seasons.
“The first time that we saw [Emmanuel] Iwe, the first thing that stood out was his pace – he’s incredibly athletic, he’s really quick,” Minnesota United head coach Adrian Heath said in a press release.
“… I think we always recognized that there was a lot of potential there and I think he started to realize some of that potential. We feel as though now he’s put himself in a spot where he’s deserved this opportunity to have an MLS contract, come onto the roster, and now let’s go from here. This is just the beginning.”
Iwe has four goals in 11 starts for Minnesota second team this season, while making his MLS debut as a substitute against the Vancouver Whitecaps in Matchday 4 after signing a short-term agreement with the first team.
Two additional short-term agreements followed, allowing the midfielder to make an additional appearance off the bench against CF Montreal earlier this month while also starting the Loons’ 3-1 win over USL Championship side Detroit City FC in the US Open Cup Round of 32 in April.
