Belgian second division team Royal Excelsior Virton has just announced that former United States international Oguchi Onyewu has joined the team as their new secretary-general.
Onyewu returns to Belgium where he played from 2003 until 2009. He became a rock in the center of Standard Liege’s defense where he helped the team win back-to-back championships in 2008 and 2009 before signing with AC Milan.
Upon retirement in 2017 when he was playing for the Philadelphia Union on MLS, the veteran of two World Cups earned his international business degree and went into team administration where he eventually became sports director of Orlando City B. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the US Soccer Federation.
Onyewu will be in charge of Virton’s administration and management committee. He will also take charge of communication and institutional relations, according to the club’s website.
“I am extremely excited with this new challenge and opportunity that is in front of me,” the former Clemson Tiger said via his Facebook page.
“This club has an amazing potential that has not yet been recognized. I’m confident to assist in revealing the talent and potential of this club to the rest of European football.”
RE Virton, located in the southeast of the country on the French border, lost their first game of the season at home to Westerlo and were then knocked out of the Belgian Cup a few days later by fourth division Londerzeel. Over the weekend they’ll travel to face Lierse as they look for their first win of the season.
