West Chester United defender signs with team in Finland

One of West Chester United’s standout performers in their run to the second round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is continuing his career with a third tier club in Finland.

Irish-American defender Enda O’Neill recently signed a pro contract with Sudet Kouvola. O’Neill spent his final season of eligibility in college playing for Villanova last fall as a grad transfer from Wisconsin.

“Enda was terrific for West Chester United over the last 18 months in between playing his final year of eligibility at Villanova,” West Chester United head coach Blaise Santangelo said. “He can play anywhere on the back line and in the six. He is ‘the quiet storm’ with a soccer IQ through the roof! His performances in the U.S. Open Cup qualifiers and first and second round games this year were absolutely over-the-top! We are so proud of him.”

The younger brother of Orlando City’s Shane O’Neill, Enda played for the Colorado Rapids Academy and Boulder Force prior to attending college at Wisconsin.

He’s the second player in recent years to turn pro after spending time with West Chester United, joining Saint Louis FC midfielder Oscar Umar, who also played at Villanova and for West Chester prior to signing his first pro contract in 2017.