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A Philadelphia Union Academy grad who elected to pursue a professional career overseas instead of going the college soccer route has signed his first pro contract with a team in the Faroe Islands.
Darius Lewis, a Florida native who spent three seasons in the Philadelphia Union Academy, announced his signing with KÍ Klaksvík on Instagram on Monday.
Lewis had 21 goals over his three seasons playing for the Union at the U17 and U19 age groups after joining the academy from FC Florida in 2015. The Port St. Lucie, Florida native graduated from YSC Academy in 2018.
He’s the second academy grad to sign with a team in Europe over the past six months. Raheem Taylor-Parkes, who is also from Florida, left the University of Virginia to sign with third division Switzerland club FC Stade Lausanne-Ouchy in August.
KÍ Klaksvík competes in the Faroe Islands Premier League, which is the top division of football in the Faroe Islands. The club will compete in its third straight Europa League in 2019-20.