Bethlehem Steel FC Signs Midfielder Issa Rayyan Steel FC signs 18-year-old Michigan-native Issa Rayyan; Rayyan joins Steel FC following ACC Freshman-of-the-Year season at Duke

CHESTER, Pa. (February 25, 2019) – Bethlehem Steel FC announced today that the club has signed midfielder Issa Rayyan (pronunciation: EE-sah RAY-yann) to a USL Championship contract. An 18-year-old midfielder from Grand Blanc, Michigan, Rayyan joins Steel FC from Duke University. The deal is pending league and federation approval.

“We are very excited about signing Issa to the Steel,” said Union Sporting Director Ernst Tanner. “Issa has an awareness and excellent technical skill on the ball and we are happy to add another young prospect to the Steel. Issa has proven himself well at Duke and our Academy and we look forward to furthering his professional development with the Steel.”

Rayyan joins Steel FC directly from Duke University, where he was named the ACC Freshman of the Year for 2018. In his only season at Duke he made 20 appearances (19 starts), scored six goals and provided three assists. Rayyan’s signing also marks the second all-time professional signing of a player that has completed the Union Academy’s Residency Program.

Rayyan has previous experience with Steel FC, making two appearances for the USL Championship side. He is also making the jump to Bethlehem Steel FC from the Union Academy, where he totaled 66 appearances (49 starts) and 22 goals across four seasons (2015-2018) with the youth-arm of the Union. Rayyan tallied seven of his 22 goals in his last season with the Union Academy U18/19s.

"Issa joins Steel FC after a superb freshman season in college, where he surprised many observers but not those who worked with him in the Academy,” said Union Academy Director Tommy Wilson. “He has the ability to make and take chances, which together with his work rate will hopefully serve him well at the next level.”

Rayyan is Steel FC’s third Union Academy prospect to sign in 2019, joining defender Ben Ofeimu and fellow midfielder Zach Zandi.

TRANSACTION: Bethlehem Steel FC signs midfielder Issa Rayyan on February 26, 2019.

Name: Issa Rayyan

Kit Number: 40

Position: Midfielder

Height: 5’10”

Weight: 150 lb.

Born: August 24, 2000

Hometown: Grand Blanc, Mich.

Citizenship: United States of America

Acquired: Bethlehem Steel FC signs midfielder Issa Rayyan on February 26, 2019.