Minnesota United announced today the club has signed 2022 MLS SuperDraft pick Tani Oluwaseyi to a one-year contract with three option years.
“Tani has come in and done really well. He’s got a lot to learn but he’s got a lot of natural attributes for a center-forward,” said Head Coach Adrian Heath. “He’s 6’3”, he’s big, he’s strong, he’s athletic. He’s very, very quick, maybe the quickest in the club, between him and Niko Hansen. He’s worked to get this opportunity, he’s got his foot on the ladder now. We’re going to work with him and see if we can make him a Major League Soccer center-forward, because he’s got a lot of physical attributes to get there.”
With the 17th pick, Minnesota selected forward Tani Oluwaseyi from St. John’s University. The Nigerian-born, Canadian national played 49 games in his four years at St. John’s, notching a total of 20 goals, with a single season-high of 11 in 2019. Despite being sidelined by a knee injury in 2021, Oluwaseyi battled back to make two appearances in the 2021 regular season finale and the quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament. His junior year, Oluwaseyi was named to the First Team All-Big East and Big East Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, was on the preseason watch list for the MAC Hermann Trophy, and led the team with five goals and three assists. In his best season, as a sophomore, the forward was named the Big East Offensive Player of the Year, made First Team All-Big East and his 11 goals hold the record for the highest in a season by a St. John’s player since 2003.
“It’s a dream come true, to say the least. This what I’ve dreamt of since I was five and I’m just excited to get going and continue to get better every day,” said forward Tani Oluwaseyi. “My goal is to contribute to the team in any way I can. I don’t know what that looks like at the moment but whatever it is, I’m ready to go, I’m ready to provide whatever the team needs.”
Transaction: Minnesota United signs Tani Oluwaseyui to one-year contracts with three option years.
VITALS
Tani Oluwaseyi (TAN-ee OH-loo-wah-SHAYee)
Position: Forward
Date of birth: 05.15.2000 (21 years old)
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 170 lbs
Birthplace: Abuja, Nigeria
