Sayreville Native, Rutgers Star Drafted by Major League Soccer Team

A Sayreville native will continue his outstanding soccer career at the professional level.

Rutgers University senior forward Kene Eze was drafted by Toronto FC in the fourth round of the MLS SuperDraft last week. He was the 60th overall selection, and the first Rutgers player of the Dan Donigan era to be drafted, according to the University.

"I am very proud of Kene as he has come a long way since we first watched him play and followed his progress thru his club team and William Paterson University before bringing him to Rutgers,” Donigan said in statement issued by the University on Wednesday.  “Like most players getting drafted, he now must make the most of this chance.  Kene had a significant impact in the college game, but the MLS is a tremendous league with great talent and our staff knows he is up to the challenge. Kene has earned this opportunity, and he realizes it is only an opportunity, so he will go to go to Toronto and prove his value to Ryan Nelson and his staff.” 

Eze scored 22 goals and had eight assists during his time at Rutgers. He played his freshman year at Division III William Paterson before transferring to Rutgers.

He transferred to Rutgers in 2011, and immediately led the team with six goals and three assists. The Scarlet Knights qualified for the NCAA tournament for the first time in five years that season. They advanced to the third round for the first time since 2001.

He was named all-Big East in 2012. He had eight goals, including four game-winners.

In 2013, he was named third team NSCAA/Continental Tire Division I Men’s Soccer All-Northeast despite missing six games with an injury.

He had eight goals and four assists.

Eze was Sayreville Memorial High School’s all-time leading scorer with 106 career goals. He was a finalist for the New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year award.

“We wish Kene the very best and we are proud to say that Kene is the first player that we brought to Rutgers that has been selected in The MLS Super Draft,” Donigan said. “We look forward to having more to add to the legacy of Rutgers players in MLS.” 

He becomes the 16th Rutgers player to join the MLS ranks in the history of Major League Soccer, which dates back to 1996.

He is the first under Donigan, who became Rutgers’ coach in 2010.