Phoenix Rising FC has signed midfielder Irakoze “Koze” Donasiyano on loan from MLS side Nashville SC for the remainder of the USL Championship season, the club announced today.
Nashville SC retains the right to recall Donasiyano at any point this season.
“We are very thankful and excited to add Koze to our team,” said Rising head coach Rick Schantz. “We have had a few injuries as of late and I feel we couldn’t be getting a more talented, humble, hard-working player. He is a great competitor and will help us immediately. A situation like this could be truly beneficial to all parties: Nashville, Phoenix and especially Koze.”
Donasiyano was originally selected by Nashville SC from the University of Virginia with the 20th overall pick in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft, presented by adidas. The midfielder made his MLS debut on June 18, 2021, in a road contest against the New York Red Bulls, logging 27 minutes as a second half substitute.
At Virginia, the winger scored five goals and added eight assists in 66 matches between 2017 and 2021.
Phoenix returns to Wild Horse Pass for its annual Pride Night match tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available here, or by calling 623-594-9606.
Rising and midfielder Jonathan Levin have also mutually agreed to part ways.
Transaction: Rising signs Irakoze Donasiyano on loan from MLS side Nashville SC
Name: Irakoze Donasiyano
Pronunciation: EAR-A-KO-ZEE, DOE-NAH-SEE-AH-NO (Click here for audio)
Number: 8
Height: 5-9
Weight: 154
Date of Birth: Feb. 3, 1998 (24)
Position: Midfielder Nationality: Tanzanian
