Men's Soccer | November 13, 2020

PHILADELPHIA – The La Salle University men's soccer team has announced that incoming freshman Junior Nare has signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Explorers. A forward from Johannesburg, South Africa, "MJ" Nare is expected to join the team for the upcoming spring season.

Nare comes to La Salle with plenty of experience playing on the South African national teams and youth academies. The 5-foot-9 striker previously played with the South Africa U17 National Team and U20 National Team as well as the Bidvest Wits FC Youth Academy and the Black Aces Youth Academy.

"MJ is a dynamic attacking player who thrives in 1v1s," said head coach Rob Irvine. "He has the versatility to play any of the front three attacking positions. His pace and technical ability fit the profile that we look for in attacking players. MJ has represented the South African National Team at both the U17 and U20 levels. We are very excited to have such an exciting and experienced player become an integral member of our group."

In 2017, Nare was the Golden Boot Award winner after helping the U17 National Team reach the semifinals at the COSAFA U17 Championships, while he also earned the Golden Boot as the top scorer for the Black Aces. The following year, he helped the U17 squad advance to the COSAFA finals and was a key member of the U20 SASCOC Football Team at the Region 5 Games as part of the Olympic Qualifying Team.

Last year, Nare competed with the U20 National Team at the U20 All-Africa Games and during several International Friendlies. He was also a standout member of the Bidvest Wits FC Academy team that won the International Futures Guateng Cup in 2019.

Nare joins an 11-member freshman class that is now represented by four different countries.