ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Former University of New Mexico men's soccer player Oniel Fisher, who was selected in the second round (40th overall) of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft in January by Seattle Sounders FC, signed a contract with the club's first team on Tuesday, March, 17.

“This is a great opportunity for me and I’m excited about the decision that the technical staff made,” Fisher said. “This is all I’ve ever wanted and all I’ve been working for my entire life. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be here and to be a part of a great team and a great city with passionate fans.”

Fisher spent two seasons at UNM and recorded four career goals, all of which were game-winners, and tallied three assists. He helped guide the Lobos to their second ever College Cup appearance in 2013, scoring the game-winning goal in the Sweet 16 against Penn State, and assisting on the winner in UNM's 1-0 win at Washington in the Elite Eight.

"I'm really excited for Oniel," UNM head coach Jeremy Fishbein said. "He has worked towards this his whole life, and he's a pretty special player. We asked him to do a lot of different things here, play a lot of different positions, and he adapted. He always put the team goals first. He's very deserving of this contract, and he has a very exciting future ahead of him in professional soccer."

Fisher played in six preseason matches for the Sounders, and his play caught the eye of the the higher ups in the organization.

“I’m excited to add Oniel to our First Team roster,” Sounders FC General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey said in a statement. “(He has) worked really hard throughout preseason training camp and (has) earned it. We’re excited about (his) future.”

Fisher joins the growing number of Lobos playing professionally this season. James Rogers recently signed with Sporting KC's first team, Riley McGovern and Victor Rodriguez are playing for the Real Monarchs, the USL club for Real Salt Lake, and Ben McKendry signed a Homegrown Player contract with Vancouver Whitecaps FC of the MLS.

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