STATESBORO, Ga. – South Georgia Tormenta FC today announced the signing of 25-year-old Somalia international midfielder Handwalla Bwana, pending league and federation approval. A Sounders Academy product, Bwana was signed as the 10th Homegrown Player in Seattle Sounders FC history and helped the Sounders win MLS Cup 2019.

"Handwalla is an important addition, and his experience in MLS and the USL Championship will power our team's attack," said Tormenta FC Head Coach Ian Cameron. "His ability as a dynamic attacker to stretch defenses and create scoring opportunities is exactly the profile we were seeking."

Bwana's passion for football stems from his father, a former professional player in Somalia. Born in Mombasa, Kenya, Bwana spent his early years in a refugee camp before relocating to the United States in 2010. His family settled in Atlanta and later moved to Seattle.

The 5-foot-11-inch winger began developing with Sounders Academy in 2015 and made his professional debut that same year with Tacoma Defiance in the USL Championship. Collegiately, Bwana spent two seasons at the University of Washington (2016-17), where he recorded 11 goals and 11 assists. Bwana was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year in 2016 and earned All-Pac-12 First-Team honors in 2017.

In January 2018, Bwana signed as a Homegrown Player with the Sounders, making 36 appearances and scoring four goals across all competitions between 2018 and 2020.

In October 2020, Bwana was traded to fellow MLS outfit Nashville SC where he spent three seasons, and then joined USL Championship side Memphis 901 FC on loan in August 2022. There, he scored one goal in four appearances. In January 2023, Bwana signed with Charleston Battery in the USL Championship, though he missed the 2023 season due to injury.

The 25-year-old was called up to the Somalia national team for the first time for FIFA World Cup 26 Qualifiers in June 2024. Bwana appeared on the bench for the Ocean Stars in a pair of losses to Mozambique and Botswana.