Memphis 901 FC Signs French Defender Abdoulaye Cissoko

Memphis 901 FC announced on Friday the team has signed defender Abdoulaye “AB” Cissoko to a multi-year contract.

Originally from France, Cissoko moved to the US to play with the NISA team in San Diego before ending up with the Tacoma Defiance. He signed a professional contract with the Seattle Sounders in 2021 and made 24 appearances in his one MLS season. He was then loaned back to the Defiance and in his time in Tacoma made a total of 47 appearances to go with 14 goals. Just last season he won MLS Next Pro Best XI honors for a standout campaign with the Defiance.

“AB was highly sought after this offseason and we’re delighted that he has chosen Memphis as the best project for his career,” Assistant Sporting Director Caleb Patterson-Sewell said. “AB will provide a strong physical presence at the back, he is strong one-on-one and very strong in a tackle. We look forward to AB making an instant impact.”

901 FC now has a back line that includes Cissoko, returning players like Akeem Ward, Carson Vom Steeg, and Lucas Turci as well as new signings Oscar Jimenez from Louisville City and Tulu from San Antonio FC.

Memphis 901 FC has a full slate of five preseason games as they start preparing for their sixth season in the USL Championship. They play their first preseason game tomorrow against MLS side Atlanta United in Athens, Georgia. Two of the five preseason games will be played in Memphis against college teams: Saturday, February 10 at CBU and then Saturday, February 24 @ the University of Memphis. Both games will be open to the public.

The 2024 USL Championship season begins in earnest for Memphis 901 FC on Saturday, March 9 at 3pm down at AutoZone Park as they take on the Las Vegas Lights. They then host Indy Eleven down at AutoZone Park the following Saturday with a kickoff time yet to be announced.

Season tickets are available for purchase with single game ticket information to be released as the season gets closer.