Ryen Jiba (born 29 April 2001) is a South Sudanese professional footballer who plays as an full-back for Union Omaha.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | April 29, 2001 | ||
| Place of birth | South Sudan | ||
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||
| Position(s) |
Full-back Attacking midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Union Omaha | ||
| Number | 27 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2019 | Sparta United | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2019–2021 | SLCC Bruins | 48 | (25) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2021 | Park City Red Wolves | 1 | (1) |
| 2022 | Union Omaha | 28 | (0) |
| 2023 | Minnesota United | 0 | (0) |
| 2024– | Union Omaha | 13 | (1) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of November 25, 2024 | |||
Career
editEarly career
editJiba was born in South Sudan, but grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, attending East High School.[1][2] He played club soccer with Sparta United, and was the Tosh Athlete of the Year in 2019.[3]
In 2019, Jiba attended Salt Lake Community College to play college soccer. Between 2019 and 2021, Jiba made 48 appearances for the Bruins, scoring 25 goals and tallying 20 assists.[4] Jiba earned regional first team honors three times and was the 2019 NJCAA Region 18 Player of the Year.[5]
In 2021, Jiba also played in the USL League Two with Park City Red Wolves, making a single appearance and scoring a single goal.[6]
Professional
editOn 18 February 2022, Jiba signed with USL League One side Union Omaha.[2] He made his professional league debut for Omaha on 9 April 2022, starting in a 2–2 draw with Forward Madison FC.[7]
In December 2022, it was announced Jiba was eligible for selection in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft.[8] On 21 December 2022, Jiba was selected 19th overall by Minnesota United FC.[9] On 12 January 2023, it was announced that Jiba had officially signed with Minnesota United for a USL League One record transfer fee received.[10][11]
In March 2024, Jiba returned to Union Omaha.[12]
References
edit- ^ "Ryen Jiba - East High School Boys Soccer". Deseret News.
- ^ a b "UNION OMAHA SIGNS UNO STANDOUT HUGO KAMETANI AND COLLEGE STAR RYEN JIBA".
- ^ "AGM UYSA Awards Gala 2019". Sparta United Soccer Club. February 20, 2019.
- ^ "Ryen Jiba - Men's Soccer". Salt Lake Community College Athletics.
- ^ USLLeagueOne com Staff (February 18, 2022). "Union Omaha Sign Pair of Collegiate Standouts". USL League One.
- ^ "Park City Red Wolves SC | uslleaguetwo.com". www.uslleaguetwo.com.
- ^ "Match Center | USLLeagueOne.com". www.uslleagueone.com.
- ^ "MLS SuperDraft 2023 eligible players | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer.
- ^ "Draft Tracker: MLS SuperDraft 2022 presented by adidas | MLSsoccer.com". mlssoccer.
- ^ "Minnesota United Signs MLS SuperDraft Pick Ryen Jiba | Minnesota United FC". MNUFC.
- ^ USLLeagueOne com Staff (January 12, 2023). "Omaha transfer Ryen Jiba to Minnesota United FC for record-breaking fee". USL League One.
- ^ "UNION OMAHA RE-SIGNS YOUNG MLS TALENT RYEN JIBA". www.unionomaha.com. March 5, 2024. Retrieved March 6, 2024.