Sebastien Ibeagha

Sebastien Uchechukwu Ibeagha (born January 21, 1992) is a professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Major League Soccer club FC Dallas. Born in Nigeria, he represented the United States national under-20 team.

Career Youth, college, and semi-professional Ibeagha joined the Houston Dynamo academy after he and his family moved to Houston, Texas from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was named as the 2009 Dynamo Academy Player of the Year and trained with the Dynamo first team during the summer of 2009. While at Duke, Ibeagha was offered multiple first team contracts by Houston, but he declined them due to his father wanting him to finish school and Ibeagha preferring to try to make a career in Europe.

While at college, Ibeagha also appeared for Premier Development League side Carolina Dynamo.

Professional

AC Horsens After college, Ibeagha forgoed a homegrown contract with the Houston Dynamo and instead signed with Danish side AC Horsens. He made his AC Horsens debut on March 15, 2014, in a 5–0 victory over Vejle Boldklub in the Danish Cup. Ibeagha would make his league debut for AC Horsens on March 23 in a 0–0 draw with Vejle Boldklub. He made his Fredercia debut on August 10, 2014, in a 2–0 defeat to Akademisk Boldklub. Ibeagha scored his first goal on October 26 in a 3–1 defeat to Vejle Boldklub. He struggled to find game time, so Ibeagha was sent to Houston's USL affiliate club Rio Grande Valley FC. He would make six appearances with the Torros before being loaned to NASL side Rayo OKC on July 12, 2016. Ibeagha made his debut for Rayo OKC on July 23 in a 1–0 defeat to Puerto Rico FC. He made his SAFC debut on March 26 in a 1–0 win over Rio Grande Valley FC. Ibeagha and San Antonio recorded the second longest shutout streak in USL history between April 28 to June 17 when they went 672 minutes without conceding a goal. Ibeagha helped San Antonio finish second in the Western Conference by anchoring defense that led the league with 15 clean sheets and conceded a league-low 24 goals in 2017. His 190 clearances were the most by any USL player for 2017. Ibeagha was named as the 2017 USL Defender of the Year and was also named to the 2017 USL All-League First Team. He made his MLS debut in NYCFC's first game of the 2018 season, coming on as a sub in a 2–0 win against Sporting Kansas City. Ibeagha got the start in their next game, a 2–1 win over the LA Galaxy. After only featuring as a sub for three of the next six games, Ibeagha established himself by appearing in 26 league games and starting 18 of them. He helped qualify NYCFC for the 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs, their third straight season qualifying for the postseason. However, he did not feature in the playoffs.

Los Angeles FC On August 6, 2021, Ibeagha was acquired by Los Angeles FC from NYCFC in exchange for $150,000 in General Allocation Money.

FC Dallas On December 5, 2022, Ibeagha was signed by FC Dallas three weeks after his contract with Los Angeles FC expired.

International Ibeagha has represented the United States at the under-20 level.

Personal Born in Nigeria, Ibeagha and his family moved to the United States in 2001.

Career statistics Club

Honors Los Angeles FC MLS Cup: 2022 Supporters' Shield: 2022

Individual USL Defender of the Year: 2017 USL All-League First Team: 2017 ACC Defensive Player of the Year: 2012 First Team All-ACC: 2012, 2013 Second Team All-ACC: 2011 All-ACC Freshman Team: 2010 NSCAA All-American Third Team: 2013 NSCAA All-South Region First Team: 2012, 2013 NSCAA All-South Region Second Team: 2011 NSCAA All-South Region Third Team: 2010 Dynamo Academy Player of the Year: 2009