Justin Malou
Personal information
Date of birth (1998-06-01) 1 June 1998
Place of birth Kédougou, Senegal
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 North Carolina FC
Youth career
2016–2017 Montverde Academy
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2021 Clemson Tigers 90 (2)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017 SIMA Águilas 10 (0)
2022 Columbus Crew 2 19 (1)
2023 FC Tulsa 23 (0)
2024– North Carolina FC 0 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10:51, 21 October 2023 (UTC)

Justin Malou (born June 1, 1998) is a Senegalese footballer who plays as a defender for North Carolina FC in the USL Championship.

Early life and career

Malou, born in Kédougou in Senegal, moved to the United States to attended the Montverde Academy in the summer of 2016.[1] In 2017, Malou also played in the USL PDL with SIMA Águilas, Montverde's affiliate team, making ten appearances and finishing the season with a single assist.[2][3]

After graduating in 2017, Malou committed to playing college soccer at Clemson University. Over five seasons with the Tigers, including a truncated 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Malou made 90 appearances, scoring two goals and tallying eight assists. Malou helped the team win the 2020 ACC Tournament as well as reach the quarterfinals of the 2019 NCAA Tournament. In 2020, he was named ACC All-Tournament Team.[4][1][5]

On January 21, 2021, Malou was selected 27th overall in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft by Columbus Crew.[6][7][8] Malou was offered the chance to play another season at Clemson in 2021, which he opted for instead of immediately signing with Columbus.[1]

Professional career

Columbus Crew 2

On 25 February 2022, Malou signed with Columbus Crew 2 ahead of their inaugural season in the MLS Next Pro.[9][10]

FC Tulsa

On 13 December 2022, Malou was acquired by USL Championship side FC Tulsa.[11][12]

North Carolina FC

Malou joined North Carolina FC in December 2023, ahead of the club's return to the USL Championship.[13]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Blau, Jon. "Clemson men's soccer trio from Senegal cherishing NCAA tournament run". Post and Courier.
  2. ↑ "Justin Malou". www.uslleaguetwo.com.
  3. ↑ Colby, Andrea (25 January 2021). "Four SIMA Alumni Selected in MLS SuperDraft".
  4. ↑ "Justin Malou". Clemson Tigers Official Athletics Site. 22 June 2018.
  5. ↑ "Justin Malou | Men's Soccer 2020-21 | Senior CLASS Award". www.seniorclassaward.com.
  6. ↑ "RECAP | Columbus Crew SC selects two players in MLS SuperDraft 2021 | Columbus Crew". ColumbusCrew.com.
  7. ↑ Murphy, Pat (21 January 2021). "The Crew select Justin Malou in MLS SuperDraft first round". Massive Report.
  8. ↑ Myers, Jacob. "No telling how soon, or if, 2021 Crew draft picks will hit the field". The Columbus Dispatch.
  9. ↑ "Columbus Crew 2 adds three players to roster ahead of 2022 MLS NEXT Pro season | Columbus Crew". ColumbusCrew.com.
  10. ↑ "Justin Malou | MLSsoccer.com". mlsnextpro.
  11. ↑ "Columbus Crew 2 transfers defender Justin Malou to FC Tulsa". ColumbusCrew.com. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  12. ↑ Galbreath, Nolan. "FC Tulsa Acquires 2021 First Round MLS SuperDraft Pick Justin Malou From Columbus Crew". FCTulsa.com. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  13. ↑ "North Carolina FC signs defender Justin Malou". NorthCarolinaFC.com. North Carolina FC. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
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