Ibrahim Owen Kasule (born 17 February 2004) is a Ugandan professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for MLS Next Pro club New York Red Bulls II.
_-_cropped.jpg) Kasule in 2023 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ibrahim Owen Kasule | ||
| Date of birth | 17 February 2004 | ||
| Place of birth | Buikwe, Uganda | ||
| Height | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | New York Red Bulls II | ||
| Number | 31 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2020 | Kampala Junior Team | ||
| 2023 | Ankara Keçiörengücü | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2020-2023 | Wakiso Giants FC | 57 | (7) |
| 2023– | New York Red Bulls II | 48 | (22) |
| 2023– | New York Red Bulls | 1 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15 October 2023 | |||
Club career
editEarly career
editBorn in Buikwe, Uganda, Kasule began his career with lower league clubs Stars Mbiko, Mbiko United, Athletico Club – Ntinda, Nansana United and Kampala Junior Team (KJT).[1]
Wakiso Giants
editIn 2020 he signed with Uganda Premier League club Wakiso Giants FC.[2] On 8 December 2020, Kasule scored his first goal for Wakiso in a 2–2 draw with Kyetume FC.[3]
Kasule was given the mythical number 10 jersey for the 2022/23 season, and was one of the top players in Uganda scoring five goals and assisting six times during the first half of the season.[4]
During January 2023, Kasule joined Turkish side Ankara Keçiörengücü, appearing for the clubs U19 side. The move only lasted a month as he had previously signed a pre-contract with New York Red Bulls.[5]
New York Red Bulls
editOn 30 March 2023, Kasule's move to New York was finalized, as he signed with MLS Next Pro side New York Red Bulls II.[6] On 26 May 2023, Kasule scored his first goal with New York Red Bulls II, scoring on a penalty kick, in a 2–1 victory over Huntsville City FC.[7] Kasule continued in fine form, and during July 2023 he was awarded Player of the Month for MLS Next Pro. During the month he netted five goals and had one assist in five matches.[8] At the conclusion of his first season with New York, he was named to the league’s “Best XI” for the 2023 season.
On 30 August 2023, Kasule made his first team and MLS debut for New York Red Bulls, coming on for Dru Yearwood in the 63rd minute in a 0-1 loss to New England Revolution.[9]
On 20 March 2024, Kasule scored his first goal of the season for New York Red Bulls II in a 5-1 victory over Hudson Valley Hammers in the first round of the U.S. Open Cup.[10]
International career
editDuring September 2023, Kasule received his first callup to Uganda national football team for 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Niger on 7 September. However, he did not feature in the match.[11]
Career statistics
edit- As of match played 02:30, 24 August 2023. (UTC).[12]
| Club | Season | League | Cup | League cup | Continental | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Wakiso Giants FC | 2020-21 | Uganda Premier League | 21 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 21 | 2 | |
| 2021-22 | Uganda Premier League | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 22 | 0 | ||
| 2022-23 | Uganda Premier League | 14 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 5 | |
| Total | 57 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 57 | 7 | ||
| New York Red Bulls II | 2023 | MLS Next Pro | 25 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 17 |
| 2024 | MLS Next Pro | 19 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 7 | |
| Total | 44 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 47 | 24 | ||
| New York Red Bulls | 2023 | Major League Soccer | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Career total | 102 | 28 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 105 | 31 | ||
References
edit- ^ "Wakiso Giants sign midfielder Kasule". swiftsportsug.com.
- ^ "New York Red Bulls II Sign Ugandan Midfielder Ibrahim Kasule to MLS Next Prop Contract". newyorkredbulls.com/2.
- ^ "Wakiso Giants, Kyetume Share Spoils in Four-goal Thriller". chimpreports.com.
- ^ "New York Red Bulls II announce the signing of Ibrahim Kasule". kawowo.com.
- ^ "Ibrahim Kasule: Ankara, New York Red Bulls on legal collision course". pulsesports.ng.
- ^ "New York Red Bulls II Sign Ugandan Midfielder Ibrahim Kasule to MLS Next Prop Contract". newyorkredbulls.com/2.
- ^ "New York Red Bulls II Win Third Match In a Row, Defeat Huntsville City FC 2-1". newyorkredbulls.com/2.
- ^ "How Kasule found out he was the Player of the Month". pulsesports.ug.
- ^ "Delight for Kasule as he makes MLS debut". kawowo.com.
- ^ "NYRBII- Hudson Valley (5-1)". espn.com.
- ^ "Ibrahim Kasule Called in to Ugandan National Team Ahead of International Friendly Matches Against Mali and Zambia". newyorkredbulls.com/2.
- ^ Ibrahim Kasule at Soccerway
External links
edit- Ibrahim Kasule at Soccerway
- Ibrahim Kasule at BeSoccer
- upl.co.ug player profile
- Ibrahim Kasule at National-Football-Teams.com