Junior Diouf Signs Professional Contract with S.K. Beveren
Grand Canyon University (GCU) forward Junior Diouf has signed his first professional contract with S.K. Beveren, a club competing in the Challenger Pro League in Belgium. The announcement, made on March 10, 2026, marks a significant milestone for the 18-year-old Senegalese player, who recently concluded a standout freshman season with the Lopes.
A Rising Star’s Journey
Diouf’s rapid ascent in the world of soccer began at age 10 with Rise Academy in Thiès, Senegal. He later honed his skills at St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey, where he led the team to an undefeated 20–0–0 season in 2024, scoring 26 goals and recording 11 assists. His performance earned him recognition on the New Jersey All-State First Team and a place in the United Soccer Coaches Fall Boys Team Rankings at No. 1 nationally. GCU Lopes
Impact at Grand Canyon University
In 2025, Diouf joined Grand Canyon University, where he immediately made an impact. He became the first freshman to win the TopDrawerSoccer.com National Player of the Year Award. During his freshman season, he scored 18 goals, provided six assists, and recorded 79 shots, with 36 on goal, maintaining a .456 shot-on-goal percentage. Seven of his goals were game-winners, including crucial goals in the NCAA Tournament, notably an 88th-minute goal against San Diego that propelled GCU to the Sweet 16 for the first time in program history. GCU Lopes
S.K. Beveren and the Challenger Pro League
S.K. Beveren competes in the Challenger Pro League, the second-highest professional division in Belgium. Founded in 2016, the league comprises 17 clubs. As of March 7, 2026, S.K. Beveren holds the top spot in the standings with 69 points, 15 points ahead of KV Kortrijk in second place. GCU Lopes, Wikipedia
Diouf’s Legacy at GCU
Diouf leaves Grand Canyon University as the program leader for single-season goals and assists in its Division I era (since 2013) and is tied for ninth for single-season points in program history (since 1985). GCU Lopes
About Junior Diouf
Raymond Junior Devis Diouf, commonly known as Junior Diouf, was born in 2007 in Thiès, Senegal. He stands at 1.85 meters (6 ft 1 in) tall and plays as a forward. Wikipedia