The Peter Vermes side has inked Amadou Dia to a deal that with options runs through 2022. He is a 26 year old left back out of Clemson and the 20th pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. Over the 2 years there he had 37 games with a Lamar Hunt US Open Cup to his credit and the 2nd season both years, now he is back to the club following a trio of years with USL Championship team Phoenix Rising FC. While in AZ, he was the team's Defender of the Year in 2018 & '19 alike.
Dia stated "Not many people are blessed with the opportunity to get a second chance at one of the top clubs in the country like I am getting."
HC & SD Peter Vermes added "We are excited to welcome Amadou back to the club as we begin preperations for the 2020 season."
Getting his first time with SKC in the first game of 2015, he was the first rookie to start an opening game since 2011. The year ended with 27 gams and 3 more starts as they took the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. 2016 saw him start 10 games, then it was off to the Montreal Impact for the balance of the year.
The native of Nantes France was raised in Highlands Ranch CO and a big player for Rising FC from 2017-'19 with 87 out of 90 games started good for a quartet of goals and 8 assists. During this time he was key to the 3 straight playoff years and getting them to a "histoically dominant 2019 season."
The starting left back for Phoenix helped them to the 2018 USL Championship Final and ending the 2019 year at 24-4-6 and an all-time mark of 20 straight league wins in US pro soccer from May 10-Sept. 14. Dia started 18 of these games as they ran their total in points to a record of 78.
A member of the USNT at the U-14, 18 & 20 levels he has dual citizenship. During his youth career he was an USC All-American and the 2010-'11 Colorado Gatorade Boy's Soccer Player of the Year from Mountian Vista HS, he played defense next to SKC center back Graham Smith.
In his 4 year career at Clemson, playing under Mike Noonan, who we have known since the mid 80's he had 70 games with 4 goals and half a dozen assists. His last year of 2014 had him lead the Tigers to the ACC title, their first since 2001, and the Sweet 16 in the NCAA's with a final #11 rank by USC.