Rutgers University men’s soccer adds pair of international players

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers University men’s soccer head coach Jim McElderry announced today the addition of two more international players to the 2020 recruiting class.

Moussa Sabaly (Senegal) and Max Wahlman (Sweden) are set to join the Scarlet Knights alongside 10 other newcomers.

Moussa Sabaly
Class: Freshman
Position: Forward
Club: Soccer Institute of Montverde Academy
Hometown: Grande Dakar, Senegal

Moussa Sabaly is a Senegal native who made the move to the United States to play for the Soccer Institute of Montverde Academy in Florida. He played for SIMA Gold in multiple positions and brings elite speed and goal-scoring prowess to the collegiate ranks.

McElderry on Sabaly: “Moussa is an exciting player for us. He comes from Montverde Academy, where he competed every day in an ultra-competitive environment. He has pace, work rate, one-on-one ability and wants to improve his game. I know Moussa has the potential to be a special player at Rutgers.”

Sabaly on choosing Rutgers: “I choose Rutgers because it’s a great school and opportunity to learn. I like the Rutgers environment. It’s beautiful and the people are very nice. Rutgers makes me feel home.”

Max Wahlman
Class: Freshman
Position: Defender
Club: LFK Lidingö
Hometown: Stockholm, Sweden

Max Wahlman is a towering defender from Sweden with the ability to score moving up the pitch on set pieces. Starring on the LFK Lidingö club in Sweden for four years, Wahlman scored eight goals out of the back, using a 6-foot-5 frame and an eye for the back of the net. In 2019 and 2020, Wahlman was selected to join Lidingö’s senior team, making his first start for the big club last spring in a clean sheet for the defense.

McElderry on Wahlman: “Max is a big and athletic centerback. He brings great experience from Sweden with him to Rutgers. He is comfortable playing out of a 3- or 4-back system and has the potential to lead. Max was a late addition to our recruiting class and we are looking forward to having him part of the group.”

Wahlman on choosing Rutgers: “Rutgers is an amazing school with amazing facilities. It felt like my best opportunity to grow as a player and as a person.”