LouCity Injects Strength to Forward Line with Signing of Abdou Mbacke Thiam
Unanimous AAC All-First Team Selection plucked after four impressive seasons at the University of Connecticut
LOUISVILLE (January 15, 2019) – Adding more quality to its attacking line today, Louisville City FCis excited to confirm the signing of forward Abdou Mbacke Thiam, a former captain and proven goalscorer out of the University of Connecticut. Thiam joins City as the 21st rostered member of the coach John Hackworth’s squad ahead of the 2019 USL season. The signing is pending both federation and international clearance.
Ending his UConn career tied fourth all-time in career goals (46), Thiam stressed to LouisvilleCityFC.com how excited he is to prove himself at the next level:
“It’s one of the best moments in my life because this team is one of the best teams in the USL and now they’re getting one of the best players in college soccer. I’m so excited to have this wonderful opportunity after a great career at UConn.”
Named a co-captain in his senior season, Thiam tallied 15 goals and 10 assists in 20 games played, the highest output of his collegiate career. In total, the Senegalese attacker scored 46 goals and added 18 assists to his name in 77 appearances over four years. One of the only players in UConn history to reach the double-digit goals mark each season, Thiam’s honors include a selection to the United Soccer All-East Region First Team and a unanimous selection to the AAC All-First Team.
Noting Thiam’s success at UConn, Hackworth wasted no time in picking up the playmaker after confirming his availability:
“Abdou had an outstanding career at UConn under coach Ray Reid. He is a proven goalscorer and is versatile enough to play any of our attacking positions. [Assistant] Danny [Cruz] and I liked what we saw when evaluating him on video and our opinions were reinforced by his performance at the MLS Combine. More importantly, when we met with Abdou in Orlando, it was clear that his personality and character would fit our locker room culture.”
Signing his first professional contract, Thiam will wear No.14 for the champions with plans to join up with the squad at the end of January for the first week of the team’s preseason camp. The forward will then travel with the champions to IMG Academy for the next phase of preseason, including four games in ten days against the likes of Orlando City SC (MLS), Nashville SC (USL), the New England Revolution (MLS), and the University of South Florida (NCAA).
As preparations continue, Season Ticket Membership packages for the 2019 USL season are still available for purchase. Through purchasing 2019 season ticket packages, you get priority access to season tickets in LouCity’s Butchertown stadium development, which is set to be completed in 2020. Visit www.loucity.com/seasontickets or call (502) LOU-CITY to secure your seats for the team’s final season at Slugger Field.
PLAYER INFORMATION
Name: Abdou Mbacke Thiam
Pronunciation: ab-DOO BOCK-ee jahm
Position: Forward
Hometown: Dakar, Senegal
Born: 2/3/1992
Height: 6’0
Weight: 162 lbs
Prev. Club: UConn (NCAA)
Louisville City FC Permanent Roster as of Tuesday, January 15:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Tim Dobrowolski, Chris Hubbard
DEFENDERS (7): Paco Craig, Shaun Francis, Alexis Souahy, Oscar Jimenez, Pat McMahon, Taylor Peay, Sean Totsch
MIDFIELDERS (6): Richard Ballard, Jose Carranza, Paolo DelPiccolo, Napo Matsoso, Niall McCabe, Magnus Rasmussen
FORWARDS (6): George Davis IV, Sunny Jane, Lucky Mkosana, Brian Ownby, Luke Spencer, Abdou Mbacke Thiam
