Emmanuel Iwe

Nigerian footballer

Emmanuel Iwe
Personal information
Date of birth (2000-09-12) September 12, 2000 (age 23)
Place of birth Lagos, Nigeria
Height 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Forward
Youth career
2009–2021 Joy of the People
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021 St. Cloud State Huskies 18 (6)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021 Joy St. Louis Park 12 (9)
2022–2023 Minnesota United 2 26 (6)
2023 Minnesota United 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19 June 2023

Emmanuel Iwe (born September 12, 2000) is a Nigerian footballer who plays as a forward.

Career

Youth

Iwe was born in Lagos, Nigeria, but was raised in St. Louis Park, Minnesota in the United States.[1] He graduated from St. Louis Park High School in 2019. Iwe also played with local club side Joy of the People from 2009.[2]

In 2018, Iwe traveled to trial with German side SV Werder Bremen.[3] In early 2020, Iwe spent time with Costa Rican side Deportivo Saprissa, before having to return to the United States due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4]

College

In 2021, Iwe played college soccer at St. Cloud State University. In his freshman season, he made 18 appearances, scoring six goals and tallying four assists, and was named All-GLIAC Second Team.[5]

During the 2021 season, Iwe also competed with National Premier Soccer League, side Joy St. Louis Park during their inaugural season in the NPSL. Here he scored nine goals in 12 regular season games.[6][4]

Professional

On March 3, 2022, Iwe signed a professional contract with MLS Next Pro side Minnesota United 2.[7][8] In his debut season, Iwe scored two goals and had two assists to his name over 16 regular season games.[9]

Following the 2022 season, Iwe entered the 2023 MLS SuperDraft as an eligible selection.[10] Iwe was selected 48th overall by Minnesota United, helping the team acquire his Major League Soccer rights should he sign to the club's first team roster.[11] On March 25, 2023, Iwe signed a short-term deal with Minnesota's first team roster ahead of their fixture with Vancouver Whitecaps FC.[12] On June 30, 2023, Iwe signed a deal with Minnesota to join their first team roster on a permanent basis.[13]

References

  1. ^ "Roster | Emmanuel Iwe". MNUFC2.
  2. ^ "#NPSL2MLS: The Story of Joy Athletic Club Alum Emmanuel Iwe". August 22, 2022.
  3. ^ "USA youngsters Zinedine Kroeten and Emmanuel Iwe set for two-week trial with Werder Bremen". bundesliga.com - the official Bundesliga website.
  4. ^ a b "Emmanuel Iwe Shines in Joy Athletic Club's Inaugural Season". July 24, 2021.
  5. ^ "Emmanuel Iwe - Men's Soccer". St. Cloud State University Athletics.
  6. ^ "National Premier Soccer League". npsl.bonzidev.com.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ "Minnesota United Sign Emmanuel Iwe and CC Uche to MNUFC2 | Minnesota United FC". MNUFC.
  8. ^ Dwyer, Zach. "St. Cloud State men's soccer player signs pro contract with MNUFC2". St. Cloud Times.
  9. ^ "Emmanuel Iwe | MLSsoccer.com". mlsnextpro.
  10. ^ "MLS SuperDraft 2023 eligible players | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer.
  11. ^ Tribune, Jerry Zgoda Star. "Minnesota United select defender Ryen Jiba, forward Emmanuel Iwe in 2023 MLS SuperDraft". Star Tribune.
  12. ^ "Minnesota United Signs Midfielders Emmanuel Iwe and Zaydan Bello to Short Term Loans | Minnesota United FC". MNUFC.
  13. ^ "Minnesota United Sign Midfielder Emmanuel Iwe | Minnesota United FC". MNUFC.