Lights complete transfer with defending MLS NEXT Pro champions and add 24-year-old midfielder who was previously named 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Cup MVP
Las Vegas, NV (March 8, 2024) – Las Vegas Lights FC today announced it has completed a transfer agreement with Austin FC II of MLS NEXT Pro to acquire midfielder Valentin Noel ahead of the 2024 USL Championship season. The 24-year-old midfielder recorded six goals in 25 appearances for Austin FC II en route to his former side winning MLS NEXT Pro Cup in 2023 – a championship match in which he tallied en route to being named 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Cup MVP. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.
The transaction reunites Noel with Lights Head Coach Dennis Sanchez, who previously served as an assistant coach with Austin FC II during its championship season with Noel and the first-year side in MLS NEXT Pro.
“Adding Valentin Noel to Las Vegas Lights FC is an important moment in the new era of our club as he is a promising, young, talented player ready to contribute now to our roster,” said Lights Sporting Director Gianleonardo Neglia. “We believe Valentin is positioned to not only be a key piece of our roster immediately but also for multiple years to come and is already a high-caliber player at an early stage of his career. The significant investment from ownership in acquiring Valentin made this possible, and allows us to continue to build a roster we expect to compete for the postseason.”
Born and raised in France, Noel earned youth team experience with Chamois Niortais FC’s Reserve Team before attending the University of Pittsburgh. There, Noel went on to record 77 appearances (all starts) and added 35 goals and 13 assists and a slew of Atlantic Coast Conference honors, including 2020 ACC Offensive Player of the Year and 2021 ACC All-Tournament Team honors.
Noel’s 2020-2021 season saw him record a career high 14 goals for the Panthers and was named a finalist for that campaign’s MAC Hermann Trophy – the award honoring the top NCAA Division I college soccer players.
Las Vegas Lights FC will kick off its new campaign tomorrow Saturday, March 9 when it visits Memphis 901 FC before its home opener against FC Tulsa on Saturday, March 16 at Cashman Field.
Both season tickets and single-match ticket options can be purchased at lasvegaslightsfc.com. Click here to see the Lights’ full 2024 schedule.
