CINCINNATI – FC Cincinnati has acquired midfielder Fatai Alashe (pronounced fah-TIE ahh-LAHSH-shay) from Major League Soccer’s San Jose Earthquakes. Alashe, 24, will play for FC Cincinnati in the USL on loan from San Jose for the remainder of the 2018 season and he will be added to the team’s USL roster pending league and federation approval.
Additionally, Cincinnati has obtained Alashe’s MLS rights from San Jose in exchange for $60,000 in MLS Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) and $75,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM). San Jose will also receive future considerations if Alashe hits certain statistical benchmarks with FC Cincinnati next season in 2019.
“We’re pleased to add a young player with Fatai’s experience and pedigree to our locker room,” FC Cincinnati Technical Director Luke Sassano said. “He has a bright future ahead and we thrilled to have him join our already talented midfield group.”
“Fatai is a player who brings a wealth of MLS experience at a young age,” Head Coach Alan Koch said. “He’s shown his quality over the last few seasons in MLS and we envision him contributing to our team both short and long term. His character and persona will be a valuable addition to our locker room. As soon as he is back to match fitness we will integrate him in to the squad.”
San Jose selected Alashe with the fourth overall pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft after a four-year career at Michigan State. The Northfield, Mich., product made 85 appearances with 69 starts over three-plus seasons for the Earthquakes, scoring five goals and adding three assists. In 2018, Alashe made 12 appearances – including two starts – in San Jose.
Alashe was also a regular on the U.S. Under-23 National Team during its last cycle ahead of the 2016 Olympic Games. He made 10 appearances, with six starts, while scoring two goals in the U-23’s 19-game training and qualifying schedule.
First-place FC Cincinnati (13-3-5, 44 pts.) returns to USL action on Saturday, August 4, when the team hosts fellow future MLS expansion team, Nashville SC, at 7:30 p.m. at Nippert Stadium. The game will be the team’s annual “Blue Out” game, and will be televised on WSTR 64, streamed on ESPN+ and carried on the radio by ESPN 1530 AM.
For up-to-the-minute information about FC Cincinnati, visit the team’s official web site at fccincinnati.com, or follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @FCCincinnati. For more information about FC Cincinnati tickets, call 513-977-KICK (5425) or visit fccincinnati.com/tickets.
Transaction: FC Cincinnati (USL) – Acquired M Fatai Alashe on loan from the San Jose Earthquakes for the remainder of the 2018 season. Additionally, Cincinnati has obtained Alashe’s MLS rights in exchange for $135,000 in Allocation Money and future considerations.
FATAI ALASHE
Pronunciation: fah-TIE ahh-LAHSH-shay
Jersey Number: 27
Position: Midfielder
Height: 6-0
Weight: 170
Birthdate: Oct. 21, 1993
Birthplace: Northfield, Mich.
Hometown: Southfield, Mich.
Last Club: San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
Nationality: U.S.
MLS Roster Status: Domestic Player
Twitter: @FataiPrince27
How Acquired: On loan from San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) through end of 2018 season. MLS rights also acquired via trade with San Jose in exchange for $135,000 in Allocation Money and future considerations.
