Minnesota United today announced it has signed 2020 MLS SuperDraft first-round pick, defender Noah Billingsley.
“We had high hopes for Noah when we drafted him and that’s been confirmed in the two weeks that we’ve had him,” said Head Coach Adrian Heath. “Good kid, tremendous athlete, wants to get better. We think there’s so much more room and scope for him to improve and we’re pleased with Noah. It was pretty evident from early on that we were going to sign him and now he’s got in his foot in the door and now he’s got to take it. It’s a bit like Chase and Hassani last year, they’ve taken opportunities that have come their way, now he’s going to have to do the same because there will be opportunities for him.”
The 22-year-old New Zealand international was selected with the 18th pick of the 2020 MLS SuperDraft out of UC Santa Barbara. Originally a forward, Billingsley made the move to defense in his junior year and started the last 36 games for the Gauchos, with one goal — a game-winner — and six assists in 2019. Billingsley was named to the 2018 All-Big West First Team, the 2018 All-Far West Region Team and the 2016 Big West All-Freshman Team.
“It’s been a dream of mine for the last 18 years, so for it to finally have happened, it’s pretty amazing. I’m over the moon for myself and for my mum,” said MNUFC defender Noah Billingsley. “Coming in, everyone has been so nice and I don’t think I could be in a better environment.”
Internationally, Billingsley currently plays with the New Zealand National Team alongside current Loon and centerback Michael Boxall. He made his national team debut with the U20s in 2015, earning six caps and scoring the U20s’ first World Cup goal in New Zealand history in a 5-1 win over Myanmar that same year. He was the youngest player on that World Cup team. He made his senior national team debut in 2018 coming on as a sub in the 62nd minute versus Kenya in the 2018 Hero Intercontinental Cup on June 2, 2018.
Tickets for the first half of the 2020 season at Allianz Field are on sale now at mnufc.com/tickets. Season ticket members, members of The Preserve and subscribers to the MNUFC newsletter will get access to special presales throughout the season before the general public. Visit mnufc.com/preserve for more info on The Preserve and mnufc.com/newsletter for more info on subscribing to the newsletter.
Transaction: Minnesota United signs Noah Billingsley.
VITALS
Noah Billingsley
Position: Defender
Date of birth: 8.6.1997 (22 years-old)
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 185 lbs
Birthplace: Wellington, New Zealand
Citizenship: New Zealand
