PAPILLION, Neb. – Union Omaha today announced goalkeeper Rashid Nuhu has signed a multi-year contract extension with the club, pending league and federation approval. The reigning USL League One Goalkeeper of the Year and two-time Golden Glove winner has played an invaluable part in the club’s success in his three seasons with Omaha.

“This new contract definitely means a lot,” Nuhu said. “As a soccer player, you take any opportunity you get and just keep on doing what you love to do. It just shows the trust the club has in me to give me an extension, and I’m very grateful for that and hoping to keep the success going for the club.”

“Getting this Rashid deal across the line is a huge accomplishment,” Omaha General Manager Peter Marlette said. “Taking care of Rashid and securing his future here in Omaha has been a goal of ours since well before last season even ended. He's the best keeper in this league and a star at our club.”

“Rashid has been with us from season one and has been a standout on the field and in the community,” Omaha Owner Gary Green said. “He’s a fan favorite, and I’m excited that he’s going to continue to represent us.”

Since arriving in Omaha in 2020, the Ghanaian goalkeeper has featured in 71 matches across all competitions for los Búhos. In the club’s inaugural season, he made his first appearance on the All-League Second Team, conceding just 13 goals in 15 appearances and leading the squad in minutes played.

“I’ve been on the road since I was a kid, so I’m used to moving around,” Nuhu said. “Coming to Omaha for the first time, I didn’t even know where Omaha was, to be honest. But I got here, and me being a traveler, it was just an easy transition to get used to the town, used to the people, and everyone here was welcoming, which helped a lot.”

In 2021, Nuhu spearheaded a commanding Omaha defensive unit and helped lead the Owls to the club’s first League One title. Between the posts, he recorded 10 clean sheets and a 0.75 goals-against average mark, culminating in his first Golden Glove award and second appearance on the All-League Second Team. Nuhu recalls the team’s 2021 championship as his favorite memory of his time in Omaha.

“We had a great group,” Nuhu said. “We loved playing out here. We loved playing in front of our fans, and having the final here and winning it, that tops everything.”

Nuhu played every minute of the historic 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup run, helping Owls become the first third-division side since 2013 to make the quarterfinals. Perhaps one of his most celebrated moments, Nuhu was instrumental in the team’s penalty shootout win over Chicago Fire FC. In front of a rowdy home crowd on a chilly night at Chicago’s Soldier Field, the Owls and Fire stood tied 2-2 on penalty kicks when Nuhu stepped up and denied Miguel Navarro. The clutch moment set the scene for the Owls to convert the winning penalty, securing Omaha’s first win over a Major League Soccer opponent.

“We didn’t know Chicago’s players or who was going to shoot where,” Nuhu said. “I told the players ‘You make your shots. I’ll do my best to stop one or two,’ and I was fortunate enough to save one, and we got the victory.”

Last season, he received a trio of the league’s highest honors, breaking into the All-League First Team and winning Goalkeeper of the Year both for the first time in his career, as well as locking in his second consecutive Golden Glove award after posting a 0.89 goals-against average mark and nine clean sheets as the anchor of the league’s best defense.

“Winning Goalkeeper of the Year was definitely my highlight of the season last year,” Nuhu said. “Going into 2022, that was my goal, I was fortunate enough to win it, and I was very grateful for my teammates and coaches helping me through it to achieve that goal.”

The 27-year-old is looking forward to the 2023 season and beyond, stating he hopes to try and bring another Goalkeeper of the Year award and League One title back to Omaha.

“I want to show my appreciation for the supporters groups and everyone supporting Union Omaha,” Nuhu said. “It’s been great since day one. We love playing in front of you guys, and hopefully, we get you more wins and trophies this season.”