Last year’s CIS championship MVP in men’s soccer, Gagan Dosanjh, signed a professional contract with FC Edmonton Thursday and will not be returning to the UBC Thunderbirds. Dosanjh helped lead the Thunderbirds to the 2012 CIS championship, scoring four goals in three games at the championship tournament.
“I am really excited to sign in Edmonton and to begin my professional career,” said Dosanjh. “The last three years at UBC has been the best of life. I was fortunate to meet a lot of great people at UBC and I wish everyone all the best in the future.”
In three years with the Thunderbirds, Dosanjh put together an impressive resume, helping UBC to a pair of Canada West titles (2010 & 2012) and a CIS title (2012). The Abbotsford, B.C. native scored 26 goals in 50 career games (regular season and playoffs) with UBC. He was a two-time Canada West first team all-star (2010 & 2012), a first team All-Canadian (2012), a Canada West Most Valuable Player (2012), a two-time CIS championship tournament all-star (2010 & 2012), and a CIS championship MVP (2012).
The 22-year-old also was the UBC Thunderbirds Male Rookie of the Year in 2011 and the Bus Phillips Memorial Trophy winner in 2013 as the UBC Male Athlete of the Year. In April, he was named the top athlete across all sports for the Canada West conference, earning a nomination for the BLG Awards, given to the top university athletes in Canada.
“A player like Gagan Dosanjh doesn’t come along every day,” said UBC head coach Mike Mosher. “As a top player in the CIS for the past three years, he has made a significant contribution to the UBC men’s soccer program and is ready for this opportunity. We wish him all the very best and will be following his progress with much interest.”
FC Edmonton, which plays in the North Amercian Soccer League (NASL) and is coached by Colin Miller, is currently fifth in league standings with a record of 3-5-4. Their next game is Aug. 3 versus the Carolina Railhawks. Dosanjh, who had surgery on his knee in early July, will be ready to return to action by mid-August.