PAPILLION, Neb. – Union Omaha today announced the signing of University of Nebraska-Omaha soccer product Hugo Kametani along with Ryen Jiba pending league and federation approval.

Kametani, a Kashima, Japan native, has spent the last two seasons playing in Omaha at the collegiate level. Featuring and starting in all 17 matches during the 2021 season, Kametani, who played forward during his collegiate career, recorded a shot in every match and earned multiple Summit League Offensive Player of the Week awards.  

“It has been so great to follow Hugo’s development over the last year locally in Omaha,” said Union Omaha Head Coach Jay Mims. “Coach Warming and UNO have done such a great job with him and we are so thrilled to continue his progress and help him reach an even higher level. He will fit in so well with our current group.”

“I’d like to thank Union Omaha for giving me such a great opportunity,” said Kametani. “I’m so excited to start my professional career in Omaha. I can’t wait to play in front of the Union Omaha fans!”

Ryen Jiba, hailing from Salt Lake City, Utah, joins Union Omaha by way of Salt Lake Community College. While also playing for Park City Red Wolves SC in USL League Two, Jiba earned regional first-team honors three times and was the 2019 NJCAA Region 18 Player of the Year with the Bruins. He was also named to the 2019 Best 11 team which honors the best 11 players in the nation during the USYS National Championship Series.

“I first saw Ryen about four years ago and have been tracking him ever since,” said Mims. “He is a dynamic player who can attack and defend.  I am excited to put Ryen in a learning environment where he can grow as a player, and I cannot wait to get started coaching him!”