Dynamo sign D Obafemi Awodesu to first-team contract

Field Level Media|published: 01/17/2025, 1:02pm EST

Sep 14, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Dynamo FC defender Obafemi Awodesu (41) battles Real Salt Lake forward Cristian Arango (9) at Shell Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

The Houston Dynamo signed defender Obafemi Awodesu to a first-team contract on Friday.

The deal runs through the 2025 season and includes club options for 2026 and 2027.

Awodesu, 23, tied for the MLS NEXT Pro league lead in minutes (2,520) in 29 matches for Dynamo 2 in 2024. He tallied two goals and one assist.

"Femi's competitiveness, leadership and desire to become a professional player at the highest levels after his college career has been impressive," Dynamo president of soccer Pat Onstad said. "... He has improved his ability to the level that has given us the confidence that he can take the next step and contribute to our group. We look forward to Femi continuing his development with our Club and are excited about his professional future."

Awodesu was an All-Big Ten honoree at Penn State, where he scored six goals in 65 matches (61 starts) from 2020-23.

--Field Level Media