Justin Malou (born June 1, 1998) is a Senegalese footballer who plays as a defender for North Carolina FC in the USL Championship.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 1 June 1998 | ||
| Place of birth | Kédougou, Senegal | ||
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | North Carolina FC | ||
| Number | 4 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2016–2017 | Montverde Academy | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2017–2021 | Clemson Tigers | 90 | (2) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2017 | SIMA Águilas | 10 | (0) |
| 2022 | Columbus Crew 2 | 19 | (1) |
| 2023 | FC Tulsa | 23 | (0) |
| 2024– | North Carolina FC | 22 | (2) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18:52, 13 November 2024 (UTC) | |||
Early life and career
editMalou, born in Kédougou in Senegal, moved to the United States to attended the Montverde Academy in the summer of 2016.[1] In 2017, Malou also played in the USL PDL with SIMA Águilas, Montverde's affiliate team, making ten appearances and finishing the season with a single assist.[2][3]
After graduating in 2017, Malou committed to playing college soccer at Clemson University. Over five seasons with the Tigers, including a truncated 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Malou made 90 appearances, scoring two goals and tallying eight assists. Malou helped the team win the 2020 ACC Tournament as well as reach the quarterfinals of the 2019 NCAA Tournament. In 2020, he was named ACC All-Tournament Team.[4][1][5]
On January 21, 2021, Malou was selected 27th overall in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft by Columbus Crew.[6][7][8] Malou was offered the chance to play another season at Clemson in 2021, which he opted for instead of immediately signing with Columbus.[1]
Professional career
editColumbus Crew 2
editOn 25 February 2022, Malou signed with Columbus Crew 2 ahead of their inaugural season in the MLS Next Pro.[9][10]
FC Tulsa
editOn 13 December 2022, Malou was acquired by USL Championship side FC Tulsa.[11][12]
North Carolina FC
editMalou joined North Carolina FC in December 2023, ahead of the club's return to the USL Championship.[13]
References
edit- ^ a b c Blau, Jon. "Clemson men's soccer trio from Senegal cherishing NCAA tournament run". Post and Courier.
- ^ "Justin Malou". www.uslleaguetwo.com.
- ^ Colby, Andrea (25 January 2021). "Four SIMA Alumni Selected in MLS SuperDraft".
- ^ "Justin Malou". Clemson Tigers Official Athletics Site. 22 June 2018.
- ^ "Justin Malou | Men's Soccer 2020-21 | Senior CLASS Award". www.seniorclassaward.com.
- ^ "RECAP | Columbus Crew SC selects two players in MLS SuperDraft 2021 | Columbus Crew". ColumbusCrew.com.
- ^ Murphy, Pat (21 January 2021). "The Crew select Justin Malou in MLS SuperDraft first round". Massive Report.
- ^ Myers, Jacob. "No telling how soon, or if, 2021 Crew draft picks will hit the field". The Columbus Dispatch.
- ^ "Columbus Crew 2 adds three players to roster ahead of 2022 MLS NEXT Pro season | Columbus Crew". ColumbusCrew.com.
- ^ "Justin Malou | MLSsoccer.com". mlsnextpro.
- ^ "Columbus Crew 2 transfers defender Justin Malou to FC Tulsa". ColumbusCrew.com. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
- ^ Galbreath, Nolan. "FC Tulsa Acquires 2021 First Round MLS SuperDraft Pick Justin Malou From Columbus Crew". FCTulsa.com. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
- ^ "North Carolina FC signs defender Justin Malou". NorthCarolinaFC.com. North Carolina FC. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
External links
edit- Justin Malou at Soccerway
- Justin Malou at Clemson Athletics