NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 28, 2021) – Nashville Soccer Club announced today it has signed 2021 First Round Major League Soccer SuperDraft selection Irakoze Donasiyano to an MLS contract. Donasiyano, who has been training with the club for over two weeks, was selected from the University of Virginia on Jan. 21 with the No. 20 overall pick and Nashville SC’s first selection in the 2021 SuperDraft, presented by adidas. Donasiyano is signed through 2021 with the option to extend each year through the 2024 season.
“Koze has a lot of positive attributes that really mesh well with our team,” said Nashville SC General Manager Mike Jacobs. “His athleticism and work-rate help him cover a lot of ground on both sides of the ball, and he has a tremendous attitude and energy that make him a real competitor. His versatility enables him to play multiple roles in the group as well.”
With the signing, Donasiyano becomes the first player from the Nashville’s 2021 Draft Class to sign a professional contract.
At the collegiate level, Donasiyano played four seasons at Virginia, including a condensed 2020/21 campaign. The No. 20 overall pick appeared in 65 matches for the Cavaliers, with 56 starts and logged 5,247 minutes in route to a Third Team All-ACC selection in 2019.
Donasiyano became one of four players to play every match in the last two seasons for the Cavaliers. The midfielder scored both goals in a 2-0 win over Pacific University on opening night in 2019 and became the first Cavalier with a brace in a season opener since 2009.
Donasiyano will join Nashville SC in its preparations to host 2020 MLS expansion foe Inter Miami CF on Sunday, May 2 at 12 p.m. on ESPN. A limited number of tickets remain available and can be purchased by visiting www.nashvillesc.com/tickets/ or by calling 615-750-8800.
IRAKOZE DONASIYANO
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-9
Weight: 155
Birthdate: 02/03/1998
Age: 23
Hometown: Roanoke, Virginia
Birthplace: Tanzania
Nationality: United States
Last club: University of Virginia
How Acquired: Selected by Nashville SC with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft, presented by adidas
