American Club, Real Monarchs have announced the signing of Ugandan defender Aziz Kayondo from Vipers SC.
The move was confirmed on the club’s website on Wednesday, April 27.
“Real Monarchs have announced the signing of Ugandan defender Aziz Kayondo from Vipers SC, to an MLS NEXT Pro professional contract, pending league approval…” read part of the statement on the club website.
“Kayondo is a talented, young defender who has quickly risen to a high pedigree in African football, both with his club and the Uganda national team,” Real Salt Lake Assistant General Manager Tony Beltran said. “We believe this is just the beginning of what he can accomplish and are excited about the potential heights he can reach with Real Monarchs and our organization.”
Real Monarchs are currently competing in the newly formed MLS NEXT Pro which is a link to the Major League Soccer (MLS) after seven seasons in the USL Championship, during which the team won the 2019 USL Championship Cup, the 2017 USL Regular Season Shield, and the Western Conference Title in both 2017 and 2019, while also qualifying for the postseason in 2018.
MLS Next Pro is a men’s professional soccer league in the United States and Canada that is affiliated with Major League Soccer (MLS). It launched in 2022 with 21 teams, of which 20 are reserve sides for MLS clubs and the independent Rochester New York FC. The league is classified as part of the third tier of the United States Soccer League system.
Meanwhile Kayondo has been a feature of the Ugandan National Team ranks, making 11 appearances for the U-20 and U-23 squads, and recently recording his first appearance with the senior national team in their 2022 World Cup Qualifier against Rwanda.
Kayondo was named one of three finalists for the 2021 Airtel-Fufa Awards Men’s Player of the Year. He was also named to the Bext XI for the 2020 U-20 AFCON team after leading the U20 team to the finals of the tournament.