Ntignee and Hammoud Make the Jump to Germany

VICTORIA, B.C. - Victoria Highlanders Football Club is excited to announce that Goteh Ntignee has signed a professional contract with Lokomotive Leipzig (German Fourth Division), while Mahdi Hammoud has signed on to become a contract player with SV 09 Arnstadt (German Sixth Division). Hammoud and Ntignee become the latest graduates of the Highlanders Residency program, formerly Pacific Elite Soccer Institute, to head to the German leagues.

Ntignee spent the 2019 season with the Highlanders First Team in USL League Two. The 2002-born forward posted four goals in eight games as he amassed 617 minutes on the pitch.

“Goteh is now part of our team and we are looking forward to see him flourishing in our club,” stated Loko Leipzig manager Almedin Civa. “Goteh can still play U19 but is already beyond his age and with his dynamic playing style capable of stepping up to our Men’s team.”

Ntignee won the Sir John Jackson Cup with Thomas Niendorf’s Westcastle United side of the Vancouver Island Soccer League in 2019, and walked away with the Denny Girvin Memorial Award for Game MVP.

“I am impressed by the quality of the players on the team and feel that Lok Leipzig is a great opportunity for me to show my abilities and contribute to a successful campaign in the league this season,” Ntignee said. “I respect coach Civa and the team and my goal is to be an important player for the club.”

 Meanwhile, Hammoud is coming off an electric showing in the Vancouver Island Soccer League (VISL) Division Two with the Highlanders Second Team. The goal-scoring threat recorded a division and league-leading 28 goals in 18 games in regular season play.

“"I’m very happy and pleased to have found this club,” Hammoud exclaimed. “Arnstadt has a good environment, and a perfect one for me as of right now to develop on and off the pitch. I’m excited to play in the upcoming season to showcase myself at the German level.”

The forward gained some international experience when joined the Lebanon U19 Team as they participated in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U19 Championship 2020 Qualifiers late last year.

““Mahdi has worked very hard in our residency program over the last two years and has proven in the VISL that he is a great goal scorer,” added Niendorf. “He believes in his abilities to improve further and I am very happy for him that he has the opportunity to continue his development pathway in the German league system to accomplish that."