Rowdies acquire Eddie Munjoma from Phoenix
Munjoma is transferred immediately and will be available tomorrow
After two shaky defensive efforts to start the season, Tampa Bay has acquired a stand out defender.
The Rowdies announced today that the club has acquired defender Eddie Munjoma via transfer fromPhoenix Rising FC. Per club policy, the terms of the transfer were undisclosed. Munjoma will be availablefor selection in Tampa Bay’s clash with Rhode Island FC this Saturday at Al Lang Stadium.
Munjoma made 36 league appearances for Phoenixlast year, notching two goals and two assists to helpthe club claim its first USL Championship title. The25-year-old defender made one appearance forPhoenix this year, entering as a second-halfsubstitute in the season opener on March 9. Capable of playing on the left or the right as a wingback, Munjoma boosts a Rowdies squad that has dealt with a handful of injuries in the early part of the season.
“We’re pleased to get Eddie in Tampa Bay,” saidRowdies Head Coach Robbie Neilson. “Number one,Eddie won the title with Phoenix last year, so hebrings that winning experience. He’s got greatathleticism and he’s a great character to havearound. All the feedback within the group to himjoining this week has been positive. You can see inthe few days he’s been in that he brings real quality.”
A Texas native, Munjoma developed as a young player with FC Dallas’ academy and signed his first professional contract with the Major League Soccer club in January of 2020. He made his professional debut later that year with Dallas’ former USL League 1 affiliate North Texas SC, where he made 15 appearances and scored five goals over two seasons. In September of 2021, Munjoma earnedhis first MLS appearance for Dallas and went on tomake 17 total appearances while recording one goaland one assist for the club in all competitions.
“I was very excited to hear Tampa Bay was interested,” said Munjoma. “I know this is a club thathas a lot of history and is always competitive in thisleague. When talking with Coach Neilson, he let meknow he thinks I can contribute a lot to this team withmy versatility. The training sessions have beencompetitive in my first week here, and that obviouslyspeaks volumes to the kind of club the Rowdies are.I’m super happy to be here.”
Munjoma attended college close to home atSouthern Methodist University. From 2016-2019,Munjoma appeared in 66 matches for SMU,recording 12 goals and 22 assists. During his senior year with the Mustangs, Munjoma was named AAC Defensive Player of the Year and was also a 2019 MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist.
Any info on the terms, e.g. sale price or transfer fees? You would think Phoenix would not give up a key defender without some compensation??
Here is an article from last year describing the transfers from the USL Championship & League One to Europe, MLS, and elsewhere:
https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1284408