Lexington, KY – Lexington Sporting Club is proud to announce the signing of midfielder Sofiane Djeffal, who joins the club from San Antonio FC, pending league and federation approval. A creative and technically gifted player, Djeffal brings a wealth of experience from Major League Soccer (MLS) and the USL Championship to Lexington’s men’s team ahead of the 2025 season.
Born in Nantes, France, Djeffal began his soccer journey at the renowned FC Nantes youth academy before transitioning to collegiate soccer at Oregon State University. While with the Beavers, he earned accolades such as Pac-12 Player of the Year in 2021 and three consecutive All-Pac-12 First Team selections, solidifying his status as one of the nation’s top collegiate players.
In 2022, Djeffal was selected 36th overall in the MLS SuperDraft by D.C. United, where he made an immediate impact with 28 appearances in his rookie season. Following his time in Washington, Djeffal was selected as the first pick in the MLS Re-Entry Draft by Austin FC in 2023. During his stint with Los Verdes, he appeared in nine matches across all competitions, including one start in the prestigious CONCACAF Champions League. There, he played alongside fellow Oregon State alumnus Charlie Asensio, further proving his ability to contribute on major stages. Djeffal also played with Orange County Soccer Club, USL Championship team, recording 882 minutes and scoring the game-winning goal against FC Tulsa.
In 2024, Djeffal joined San Antonio FC in the USL Championship, where he played a key role in the club’s midfield, showcasing his ability to control games with precision passing, defensive reliability, and tactical intelligence.
Reflecting on his move to Lexington Sporting Club, Djeffal shared his excitement:
“I’m really excited about being part of this ambitious project. Can’t wait to meet everybody and build something special that will inspire and impact the community positively on and off the field.”
Djeffal’s transfer to Lexington marks an exciting milestone as the club prepares for the 2025 season. Fans can look forward to seeing his midfield mastery when the campaign kicks off at home on March 8th against Hartford Athletic.
Lexington SC’s USL Championship season tickets are on sale now! If you are interested in ticketing opportunities, please call (859) 201-3932 or visit www.lexsporting.com/tickets.
For more information about Lexington Sporting Club and its upcoming initiatives, please visit www.lexsporting.com
About Lexington Sporting Club
Lexington Sporting Club is a U.S. Soccer professional soccer club competing in the USL Championship (U.S. Soccer Second Division men’s professional soccer), and in USL Super League (U.S. Soccer First Division women’s professional soccer). The two professional teams are the pinnacle of the soccer ecosystem in Lexington that features more than 1,000 players within its youth and academy systems. Lexington SC has recently opened a 7500-seat, state-of-the-art stadium, indoor facilities and training fields.
Media Contact:
Emily Fields
Marketing, Communications, Community
Lexington Sporting Club
(678) 313-8639
