It’s his first professional contract, and Brad Ruhaak will take it.

After training with North Carolina FC, the defender from Akron, Ohio and the University of Akron signed a contract with the club Tuesday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“He has an upside and will adapt to our back line. He’s versatile and can play anywhere across the back. He’s a smart player and is very clean with the ball,” said NCFC coach Colin Clark, on the team website. “He’s a good passer and communicator. He’s someone we feel that right now is going to be a very important addition to the squad as we move forward.”

Over his four years with the Zips, Ruhaak had seven goals and three assists in 70 games — 66 of them starts. He was a starter for three years — captain for two — and, during that time, Akron won the Mid-American Conference regular season and tournament titles and made appearances in the NCAA tournament.

The Akron defense accounted for 27 shutouts during those three years, including 11 in the 2016 campaign.

Last season, Ruhaak played for the PDL national champion Michigan Bucks where he played in 14 games and tallied a goal and four assists.

He will join the Oaks (4–2–2, 14 pts.) as they return to league action at 4 p.m. Sunday at Jacksonville Armada FC. NCFC is coming off a 2–1 come-from-behind win at Puerto Rico FC last weekend. The two-time first-team All-MAC selection said he was happy for the opportunity to come to North Carolina.

“It’s a great team and a great group of guys. There is a high level to this team. Everything they do in training is sharp and they transfer that to games,” Bruhaak said, on the team website. “They like to attack and keep the ball. It’s a great style to play and exciting to watch. I’m a center back and right back. Nothing flashy, but I’m here to work.”

The Oaks are presently in second place in the NASL, three points back of Miami FC and one ahead of San Francisco Deltas.