LOS ANGELES, CALIF. — Lobo All-American Niko Hansen has been selected as the 9th overall pick in the first round of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft by Columbus Crew SC after signing an early guaranteed MLS contract on Friday.
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Hanson’s No. 9 selection is the second-highest Major League Soccer SuperDraft pick in Lobo history behind Blake Smith who was selected eighth in 2013 by Montreal Impact.
Hansen was one of just 10 college seniors to sign an MLS guaranteed contract prior to the SuperDraft on Friday and the only player to do so from Conference USA. In addition, Hansen is the second Lobo to be drafted to the Columbus Crew following Brandon Moss who was chosen in the third round in 2006.
In his career with the University of New Mexico, Niko scored 28 goals in 79 appearances#CrewSC pic.twitter.com/IhEuAQeHoY
— Columbus Crew SC (@ColumbusCrewSC) January 13, 2017
Hansen helped lead the Lobos to their first Conference USA Tournament Championship and the second round of the NCAA Tournament this season and completed his career with 70 points on 28 goals and 14 assists including an outstanding 13 goals in just his senior season. Hansen finished the season ranked second in the nation in game-winning goals (7) and 11th in the country in total goals (13). He also ranked 15th in the nation in total points (29).
Our No. 9 pick Niko has some goals in him.
??????#CrewSC pic.twitter.com/n8KzfJpTdu— Columbus Crew SC (@ColumbusCrewSC) January 13, 2017
Hansen also collected numerous accolades during his time at UNM including being named to the NSCAA All-America Third Team, All-Conference USA First Team and NSCAA All-Southeast Region First Team in his final season. Not only was Hansen a standout player, but he was an excellent student earning CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team and CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team honors as a senior. He was also tabbed as the consensus Sept. 20 National Player of the Week, earning the award from College Soccer News.
With the first two rounds of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft complete, rounds 3 and 4 will take place via conference call on Tuesday, Jan. 17. Chris Wehan looks to be selected in the third or fourth round, stay tuned to GoLobos.com for all the latest.