MNUFC2 announced today that the club has signed MNUFC Academy U17 forward Darius Randell to an MLS NEXT Pro Contract through 2026.

“I’m really excited to be able to sign with MNUFC2. This has been a dream of mine for such a long time to play soccer as a professional,” said forward Darius Randell. “I’m so thankful to the club for giving me this opportunity and I’m ready to work hard to continue to grow as a player and also help the team succeed.”

“Over the past six months since Khaled El-Ahmad has come on board, the club has really committed to the pathway for young players, has committed to giving our Academy players the best opportunity to train with and inevitably be successful with the first and second teams,” said MNUFC Head of Development and Player Pathway Amos Magee. “Darius is a perfect example of somebody who has taken that opportunity and has really run with it. I couldn’t be more pleased for him and his family.”

Randell joins MNUFC2 after playing and developing with the MNUFC Academy. Across the past two seasons, the forward has consistently trained and competed with MNUFC2 and the Minnesota United senior squads. With the Twos, Randell has made 25 game appearances (13 starts), to-date, scoring once while playing 1,060 minutes of MLS NEXT Pro action.

The forward played two seasons with MNUFC’s Academy, starting as a defender for the Loons’ U15 squad in 2022 before transitioning to a winger position and playing up with the U17 and U19 teams from 2023-2024. Randell first began his youth soccer career with Boreal Football Club based in Ramsey, Minnesota.

Transaction: MNUFC2 signs MNUFC Academy U17 forward Darius Randell to an MLS NEXT Pro Contract through 2026.

VITALS
Alisa “Darius” Randell
Pronunciation: Darius
Position: Forward
Date of birth: 8/25/2007 (16 years old)
Height: 6’0”
Wight: 160
Birthplace: Monrovia, Liberia
Hometown: Brooklyn Center, Minnesota
Previous Club: MNUFC Academy U17