PITTSBURGH (April 5, 2023) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC has signed defender Illal Osumanu for the 2023 season. The deal, pending USL and U.S. Soccer approval, is a one-year contract with a team option for 2024.
Osumanu, 26, is a native of Accra, Ghana, who most recently appeared for Union Omaha in USL League One. With the Owls, he made a total of 32 appearances between regular season and postseason, and he played every minute of Omaha’s 2021 playoff run to the League One title.
“Illal is an athletic defender who brings intensity to the group and can play anywhere across the back line or as a defensive midfielder,” Riverhounds coach Bob Lilley said. “He reads the game well and will continue to grow as he gets more comfortable with our system, and we think he will be a great addition for the 2023 USL Championship season.”
Before joining the pro ranks in Omaha, Osumanu played college soccer in West Virginia, first for the University of Charleston in 2016 before transferring to Marshall University, where he played three seasons. His time at Charleston finished with a trip to the NCAA Division II National Championship game, while with the Thundering Herd, he played in 59 matches and helped the team to its first Conference USA title and first NCAA Tournament appearance.
His time as an amateur player included also stints with three USL League Two teams: West Virginia Chaos (2017), Michigan Bucks (2018) and West Virginia Alliance (2019).
Osumanu has been with the Hounds since preseason this year, and now that his signing is confirmed, he will be eligible for selection beginning with the team’s next match this Saturday, April 8, when the Hounds visit the Colorado Springs Switchbacks in an 8 p.m. kickoff.
