EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern University student-athletes Ethan Dudley (Charlotte FC) and Paul Walters (FC Cincinnati) have signed professional contracts with Major League Soccer.
Paul Walters, a goalkeeper from West Chester, Ohio, signed a homegrown deal with FC Cincinnati of MLS. Walters, who came to Northwestern via the FC Cincinnati MLS Academy, appeared in four games as a rookie for the Wildcats. He posted a 2-1-1 record and earned his first win in his first start against Houston Baptist. Walters made a career-high six saves in a win against Northern Illinois a few weeks later. Walters becomes the third Wildcat to sign a homegrown contract. He’s also the third goalkeeper under Head Coach Russell Payne at Northwestern to sign a professional deal following Mihajlo Miskovic (Chicago Fire) and Ethan Bandre (Sporting Kansas City).
Ethan Dudley, a central defender, finished his collegiate career at Northwestern University before signing an MLS Next Pro contract with Charlotte FC. Standing at a towering 6’4″, the Florida native was the only Wildcat to start in every match this season. Leading the team in minutes, Dudley also scored four goals and added two assists during his only season in Evanston. Prior to Northwestern, Dudley played 48 matches for Florida Gulf Coast University and was named ASUN Defensive Player of the Year in 2020. Dudley becomes the fourth Wildcat in Coach Payne’s first two seasons to sign a professional deal.
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