Clemson Defender Oguchi Onyewu Signs Professional Contract

April 18, 2002

CLEMSON, SC – Clemson soccer player Oguchi Onyewu has signed a professional contract with F.C. Metz of France last Thursday.

Onyewu finished his two-year Clemson career with 12 goals and 11 assists for 35 points from his defender position. This past season, the Olney, MD native finished the season with seven goals and five assists for 19 points. He scored the game-winning goal in three matches this past season including the game-winner in the ACC Championship match vs. North Carolina and two goals in the closing minutes of the NCAA Tournament match vs. Alabama-Birmingham.

“I am excited about starting my professional career and moving to the next level,” said Onyewu. Playing soccer at Clemson for Coach Trevor Adair has helped my physical attributes and mental soundness. Coach Adair has pushed me and has helped me reach this point in my development. The day that I first arrived at Clemson until today, I have improved my game both physically and mentally. Clemson is definitely a good environment.”

“It has been a pleasure to have had the opportunity to coach a player of Oguchi’s stature,” said Clemson Head Coach Trevor Adair. “Players like Oguchi don’t come along every day. I personally feel that Oguchi was a great fit here at Clemson and know he is leaving prepared for the next step in his career. We all wish him well.”

Onyewu was named to the Soccer America MVP team last season as he helped lead Clemson to the NCAA Elite Eight. After scoring the game-tying and game-winning goals against Alabama-Birmingham in the NCAA Tournament Round of 16, he was chosen as the National Player of the Week by College Soccer News. Last November, he was named First-Team All-ACC for the second consecutive year.

Onyewu was also named the Defensive MVP of the Clemson Nike Invitational (Sept. 28-30) after leading Clemson to consecutive shutout victories over Cal Poly and 20th-ranked Virginia Commonwealth. For his outstanding performance in that tournament, Onyewu was also named the ACC Player of the Week on October 1.

He is also a finalist for last year’s Missouri Athletic Club National Player of the Year Award and was named second-team All-American by both the NSCAA and