BIRMINGHAM, ALA. – Former William & Mary standout Diba Nwegbo inked a professional deal with Legion FC in the USL Championship. Nwegbo becomes the 39th Tribe player to sign a professional contract.
Nwegbo is the second Tribe player competing in the USL Championship, the second level of professional soccer in the United States, joining former Tribe goalkeeper Phil Breno, who is with the Tampa Bay Rowdies this season.
A two-time All-Colonial Athletic Association selection, Nwegbo capped his career with nine goals and 17 assists across 57 appearances and 45 starts. This past season, Nwegbo was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Atlantic Region Third Team after ranking second on the team with three goals, seven assists and 13 points. His assists total ranked second in the CAA and 51st nationally.
“We are extremely excited for and proud of Diba for signing his first pro contract. He has worked very hard to develop his game and shown great ambition in pursuing his dream,” Tribe Men’s Soccer Coach Chris Norris said. “William & Mary and our men’s soccer program offer a unique opportunity to engage in a world-class education while concurrently preparing for professional soccer. Diba has taken full advantage and we look forward to following all his future pursuits.”
Legion FC finished fourth in the Eastern Conference with 58 points and advanced to the USL Championship Playoffs last season.
In total, Nwegbo is one of seven former Tribe players under head coach Chris Norris in the professional ranks. Along with Nwegbo, Kieran Baskett (Pacific FC in the Canadian Premier League), Marcel Berry (St. Louis Ambush in the MASL), Breno (Tampa Bay Rowdies in the USL Championship division), Antonio Bustamante (B.93 in Danish Second Division), William Eskay (St. Louis Ambush in the MASL) and Andrew Hoxie (Harrisburg Heat in the MASL) are all competing professionally across the globe. He is the 10th player under Norris to ink a professional deal.
