United States International Oguchi Onyewu Joins Portugal’s Sporting Club

June 29, 2011

CLEMSON, SC – Oguchi Onyewu has signed a three-year contract with the Lisbon club after spending the second half of last season at Eredivisie side FC Twente. The 29-year-old has been previously contracted to Standard Liege and AC Milan, but limited playing time at the San Siro has forced the powerful defender to look elsewhere for opportunities.

Sporting have already added Andre Carrillo, Alberto Rodriguez, Ricky van Wolfswinkel, Stijn Schaars and Santiago Arias for next season, and Onyewu says he wants to help the squad regain the Premeira Liga title.

Onyewu played for Clemson in the 2000 and 2001 seasons and was named to the Soccer America MVP team in 2001 and was named a NSCAA All-American in 2001. Onyewu was a Hermann Award Finalist in 2001.

During his career at Clemson, Onyewu was named first-team All-ACC in 2000 and 2001. He also scored the game-winning goal in the ACC Championship match vs. North Carolina (11-3-01) and two goals in the closing minutes of the NCAA Tournament match vs. Alabama-Birmingham (12-2-01). He was also named to the ACC’s 50-Year Anniversary Team.

Onyewu was on the 2006 and 2010 U.S. World Cup Team.

“This is a club with a great history and ambition,” said Onyewu. “I want to help Sporting be champion,” he said. “My time at Milan had ups and downs. I want to rebuild my career and Sporting is the perfect place for that.”