Rowdies Acquire Burundi International Pacifique Niyongabire from Valour FC
January 12, 2024 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Tampa Bay Rowdies News Release
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla - The Tampa Bay Rowdies announced today that the club has acquired winger Pacifique Niyongabire from Canadian Premier League side Valour FC for the upcoming USL Championship season. Per club policy, the terms of the transfer were undisclosed.
Niyongabire is a newcomer to the USL Championship, having spent the majority of his professional career in Australia before joining Valour for the 2023 season. Last year, the 23-year-old recorded one goal and three assists in 26 appearances for Valour.
Born in Burundi, Niyongabire emigrated to Australia with his family at a young age. Two months before his 18th birthday in 2018, the creative winger made his professional debut for Adelaide United after developing in the A-League side's youth system. Following several seasons with Adelaide United, he moved to Perth Glory FC for a two-season stint.
Niyongabire earned his first cap for the Burundi men's national team in a friendly against Ivory Coast in November of 2022 and has made five more international appearances since then. He tallied his first goal for Burundi in March of last year, notching the lone goal for his country in a match versus Indonesia.
The Rowdies have 16 players confirmed for the 2024 season so far. Additional roster announcements will be made in the coming weeks, with the official start of preseason camp set for January 29. This year, the Rowdies kick off their regular season campaign at Al Lang Stadium on March 16 versus San Antonio FC.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from January 12, 2024
- Rowdies Acquire Burundi International Pacifique Niyongabire from Valour FC - Tampa Bay Rowdies
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- Molina Returns for the Boys in Blue in 2024 - Indy Eleven
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- San Antonio FC Signs Goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega - San Antonio FC
- Memphis 901 FC Signs Former MLS Goalkeeper Tyler Deric to Multi-Year Contract - Memphis 901 FC
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