March 29, 2017
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Former Penn State men's soccer player Riley Grant (Copley, Ohio) signed with the Seattle Sounders FC 2 as a left center back Wednesday, March 29.
"I am so grateful to be able to continue my soccer career beyond college into the pros," said Grant. "Not many people get this type of opportunity and it is something that I do not take for granted. I am very thankful for everyone who has supported me throughout my life and helped me to achieve my dream of becoming a professional soccer player. I still have so much to learn and a lot of hard work ahead of me but I am excited and feel honored to be a part of the Sounders organization."
Grant is one-of-three former Nittany Lions to sign a professional contract in 2017, making Penn State one-of-three Big Ten school to have three-or-more players sign professional contracts this season. Furthermore, Penn State is only one-of-three schools to have three-or-more players sign professional contracts in the same season as Maryland and Indiana have also had three-or-more former players go to the MLS in the same year.
"I am always thrilled when one of our players reaches his lifelong goal of getting paid to play soccer, stated head coach Bob Warming. "It is particularly rewarding when it happens to a guy I love who has been through some tough times. Seattle is an amazing organization with their first team averaging one of the top attendances in the sport in the world at over 40,000 per match, so they have a lot of options of who to sign. This also makes Riley's signing special. Seattle value the technical ability of Riley and the technical range he has in his passing, playing at Penn State has helped him hone those qualities. Riley is being signed to play left center back and center backs can have long careers. Riley loves the game so much I know he will improve every year he continues to play."
Grant played in 52 matches and started 34 for the Blue and White after transferring from Akron following his freshman season. The senior forward scored twice for the Nittany Lions, dished out six assists and put 16 shots on goal for a .432 shots on goal percentage in his three seasons donning the Blue and White. The Copley, Ohio native played 2,889 minutes on the pitch and had significant role in running the offense for Penn State.
The left center back will earn a degree from Penn State in labor of employment relations in spring of 2017.