MADISON, WI — Forward Madison FC has signed 22-year-old defensive midfielder Vital Nizigiyimana, who becomes the club’s only player to earn a contract from open tryouts. Nizigiyimana, who hails from Atlanta, played for both Madison College and the Madison 56ers before signing for Forward Madison.

Read Vital’s story on Madison 365: “From the Streets to the Pitch”

Nizigiyimana had all but given up his dream of becoming a professional soccer player before the tryout, but said he knew it could be his one last opportunity.

“It’s unbelievable, because for a minute I was going to stop playing soccer and just work,” Nizigiyimana said. “I actually stopped for a couple months before the tryout. But I love soccer.”

According to Head Coach Daryl Shore, although Nizigiyimana is primarily a defensive midfielder, he also has the ability to play in a more attacking role.

“Vital filled any position we asked him to play throughout the tryouts, and we like that he’s versatile and fits the style we want to play,” Shore said. “We like his overall awareness on the field and ability to make the right passes at the right times. He’s also got a really good engine and a really good work rate.”

After spending some time out of practice, Nizigiyimana will have to work hard to get his fitness levels up again. Yet Coach Shore said he’s confident that Nizigiyimana has what it takes.

He’s never played at this kind of a level, so he’s a player we feel is going to have to catch up to the speed of things, but we also feel like he has the capabilities and the right qualities to catch on pretty quickly,” Shore said.

According to Nizigiyimana, he’s trusting his work ethic to carry him through.

“I know there are good players; it’s top-level,” Nizigiyimana said. “I’m going to give it my all. One hundred-and-ten percent. I have to.”

Vital’s signing will be confirmed pending league and federation approval. Follow Vital on Instagram at @ballerv09__. Get tickets to see Vital in Forward Madison FC's inaugural season at https://www.forwardmadisonfc.com/tickets.