Monterey Bay F.C. announced today that the club has signed midfielder Arun Basuljevic ahead of its inaugural season in USL Championship.
Basuljevic’s professional career began in 2017 when he signed as a Homegrown Player with Major League Soccer club New York Red Bulls. He was subsequently loaned to its USL Championship side New York Red Bulls II, where he made 27 appearances and scored two goals and two assists. Basuljevic started in his pro debut on March 25, 2017 in a 3-3 draw against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, and recorded his first professional assist in the same game.
The following year, the midfielder made two short stops in Denmark and Sweden with clubs Fremad Amager and Nyköpings BIS before returning to the United States with the USL Championship’s Fresno FC, where he connected with current Monterey Bay F.C. Sporting Director and Head Coach Frank Yallop for the first time. The 26-year-old recorded four goals in 20 appearances for the side before spending the past two seasons in the Championship with OKC Energy FC.
“I worked with Arun in Fresno,” said Yallop. “He is a very active midfielder who is full of running and he has good attacking tendencies.”
Originally a graduate of the New York Red Bulls Academy, the Bronx, New York native played three years at Georgetown University and recorded 14 goals and six assists in 60 appearances from 2014-2016 before joining the professional ranks. As a Hoya, Basuljevic was named Big East Rookie of the Year and Soccer America’s Freshman of the Year. Additionally, he earned All-Big East honors in all three seasons and All-Conference First Team honors in 2015 and 2016.
“I’m super excited to be here. When I heard about the project a couple of years ago, this was the place I wanted to be,” explained Basuljevic. “Now, the fact that it is finally coming to fruition and I’m here, it really feels like a great opportunity, and I’m really excited to be part of the inaugural season here at Monterey Bay F.C.”
“I’m also really looking forward to playing under Frank. I know Frank from my time at Fresno FC. He wasn’t the coach there, but we all know his history as a coach and how successful he’s been, playing for him is definitely one of the main reasons I’m here.”
Player Information:
Name: Arun Basuljevic
Position: Midfielder
Age: 26
Height: 5’10”
Hometown: Bronx, New York
Monterey Bay F.C. roster as of February 8, 2022:
Goalkeepers:
Dallas Jaye (Danville, California)
Rafael Díaz (Paterson, New Jersey)
Defenders:
Morey Doner (Collingwood, Ontario)
Hugh Roberts (Olney, Maryland)
Midfielders:
James Murphy (Scotch Plains, New Jersey)
Arun Basuljevic (Bronx, New York)
Forwards:
Walmer Martínez (Santa Cruz, California)
Chase Boone (Beaverton, Oregon)
Seku Conneh (Voinjama, Liberia)
Christian Volesky (Henderson, Nevada)
Christoper Cortez (Mission Viejo, California)
