The Houston Dynamo have some midfield help on the way.
The team announced Thursday the signing of Nigerian midfielder Rasheed Olabiyi, who last played with Enyimba International FC of the Nigeria Premier League. He will be added to the Dynamo roster as a discovery immediately.
Per club and league policy, terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The central midfielder represented Nigeria at the Under-17, U-20 and U-23 levels and was a 2014 Nigeria Premier League Best XI selection. A native of Ibadan, Olabiyi was a two-time MVP (2006, 2007) of the Lagos-based Pepsi Football Academy, which featured Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel and Monaco defender Elderson Echiejile in its youth ranks.
“We’re pleased to welcome Rasheed to the Houston Dynamo,” Dynamo vice president/general manager Matt Jordan said in a statement. “He’s been training with us and has integrated well within our group. We look forward to seeing him continue to grow in our environment and contribute to the success of the team as we begin the second half of our season.”
- Get more Dynamo news at HoustonDynamo.com
Olabiyi has spent his entire professional career with Enyimba, one of the largest clubs in Nigeria, after joining the Aba club in 2007. He helped the Peoples’ Elephants win the Nigeria Premier League in 2010 as well as three Nigeria FA Cups (2009, 2013, 2014) and two Nigeria Super Cups (2010, 2013). Enyimba also reached the semifinals of the CAF (African) Champions League in 2011.
The Nigerian is eligible for selection Friday as the Dynamo visit the San Jose Earthquakes (11 pm ET; UniMas).
