Wichita Wings sign MASL superstar Frank Tayou, brother Uzi, for remainder of 2021 M2 season
TAMPA, Fla. -- Turns out perhaps the greatest player of the current generation of indoor soccer players isn't done playing in the 2021 season.
Major Arena Soccer League superstar Franck Tayou, a target forward, and his brother Uzi, a defender, have signed with the Wichita Wings for the remainder of the M2 season. They will play on loan from the Ontario Fury, who went to the MASL finals last month, falling to the now 15-time champion San Diego Sockers.
"We can't wait to introduce these guys to the Wings Orange Army. Wichita has become sort of a home away from home over the last handful of years so they know exactly what our culture is and what we want to accomplish for the city." Managing Partner, Blake Shumaker said.
It's a bit of a homecoming for the player dubbed "The King". Franck played two seasons with Wichita outside, scoring nine goals.
He was named all MASL first-team last month, and led all scorers in the post-season with 14 goals in eight games after netting 14 goals in nine games in the regular season. For his remarkable indoor career he has 337 goals in 161 regular season games, dating back to his first season in 2012-13 with the Las Vegas Legends. In addition, in 36 career post-season games, he has 52 goals. He's been MASL MVP three times in the league's last six seasons.
Uzi has 105 blocked shots over the past six seasons, including a career best 38 blocks in 2019-20. He also added three goals in this spring's MASL playoffs. He too is on loan from the Fury, and both will return to Ontario at the end of the M2 season. Per league and team rules, no additional details of the deal are available.
"We're thrilled that our M2 fans will get the chance to see such a special player," Commissioner Chris Economides said. "He's not only arguably the best player in the game right now, he's in the pantheon of greats throughout the history of the sport. He has unfinished business when it comes to a soccer championship this year, and with his familiarity with Wichita, what better place for he and his brother to try to win that elusive title."
Wichita will travel to Chicago for a pair of games against the Mustangs this weekend. The Wings will have three regular season home games in June before hosting the M2 championships July 17 and 18. The Tayous join MASL standout defender James Togbah, who signed with the Wings a few weeks ago, on loan from Utica City.
Per M2 rules, teams are allowed to dress up to five current Major Arena Soccer League players in a single game. For more information, visit www.M2soccer.com, or wichitawingssoccer.com, or any of the league or team social media outlets.