Phoenix Rising FC has signed four local academy players, Liam Mullins, Santi Hanus, Efetobo Aror and Joel Torbic to USL Academy contracts, the club announced today.
USL Academy contracts allow young players to train and compete against professional players in the USL Championship while retaining their college eligibility.
“These four players have been with us all preseason and have earned their places on this roster,” said Head Coach Juan Guerra. “This is part of the culture we want to create. A clear pathway for our academy players and young talent in the state of Arizona. I’m happy for them to take this step in their careers.”
Mullins spent the past four years in the Phoenix Rising Academy after moving to the Valley from Dublin, Ireland. Mullins is a member of Rising’s MLS Next squad. He is committed to play for DePaul University next fall.
Born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, Hanus spent time in both the FC Tucson Academy and Barça Residency Academy, before joining Rising’s MLS Next Academy team. The center back was selected to play in the 2022 MLS Next All-Star Game in December 2022. He is committed to play at UNLV this fall.
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Aror spent the past three seasons at the Barça Residency Academy. Aror was a member of the U17 MLS Next team that won the Southwest Division title in 2021. He plans to return to the Barca Academy for his senior season, beginning this fall.
Born in State College, Pennsylvania, Torbic was part of the Philadelphia Union Academy before transferring to Barça Residency Academy in 2021. He also represented Rising’s Academy in the MLS Next All-Star Game in 2022.
Transaction: Rising signs Liam Mullins, Santi Hanus, Efetobo Aror and Joel Torbic to USL Academy Contracts
Name: Liam Mullins
No: 40
Ht: 6-0
Wt: 160
DOB: July 15, 2005 (17)
Born: Chicago, Illinois
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Position: Forward
Name: Santi Hanus
No: 35
Ht: 6-3
Wt: 170
DOB: April 8, 2005 (17)
Born: Tucson, Arizona
Hometown: Tucson, Arizona
Position: Defender
Name: Efetobo “Tobo” Aror
Pronunciation: F-ay-toe-bo A-Roar
No: 36
Ht: 5-7
Wt: 135
DOB: September 26, 2005 (17)
Born: Atlanta, Georgia
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Position: Midfielder
Name: Joel Torbic
No: 33
Ht: 6-0
Wt: 155
DOB: October 14, 2005 (17)
Born: State College, Pennsylvania
Hometown: State College, Pennsylvania
Position: Midfielder
About Phoenix Rising FC
Phoenix Rising FC is the highest-level professional soccer franchise in Arizona history. Established in 2016, the club has won the 2020 and 2018 Western Conference Titles as well as the USL Championship’s 2019 Regular Season Title. Rising holds the record for the longest win streak in American professional soccer history (20 matches). It is owned by legendary Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker, Didier Drogba, Advantage Sports Union CEO, Alex Zheng and an impressive collection of local business leaders and international celebrities.
Phoenix Rising FC plays in the USL Championship, the largest Division 2 professional league in the world. For season tickets or more information call 623-594-9606 or visit PHXRisingFC.com. You can also follow the team on Facebook (PHXRisingFC), Twitter (@PHXRisingFC), Instagram (@PHXRisingFC) and YouTube (PhoenixRisingFootballClub) or by downloading the Official Team App in the App Store or Google Play.
