Fifi

COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

Baiden (prounounced: “Fee-fee” “BAY-den”), a holding midfielder, recorded two goals and four assists in 76 games played – including 63 starts – during his college career at University of California-Santa Barbara. A 2013 preseason All-American, Baiden was named to the All-Big West second team following his senior season and was the only holding midfielder listed in Top Drawer Soccer’s list of top 10 midfielders in the country. As a junior, Baiden earned All-Big West first-team honors for his defensive play in the UCSB midfield.

YOUTH AND CLUB EXPERIENCE

Born in Ajumako in central Ghana, Baiden came to the United States after graduating from the Right to Dream Academy, the same Ghanaian program that produced former UCSB player and former Seattle Sounder Michael Tetteh. Baiden played with the Santa Barbara Soccer Club U-19 Gold squad and was a finalist at the 2010 National Cup. He assisted in leading the club to the 2009 OC Classic Kickoff Championship, the 2009 Nike Harvest Cup finals, the 2008 Hawaii International Cup Championship and the 2008 Copa Real Cup finals.

Baiden played at Dunn School in Los Olivos, Calif. and was named his club’s Most Valuable Player in his final three seasons.

ACQUIRED

Baiden was selected with the fourth pick of the Third Round (42nd overall) in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft, will compete for roster spot during 2014 preseason.

PERSONAL

Name: Kingsley "Fifi" Baiden
Pronunciation: “Fee-fee” “BAY-den”
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 151
Born: November 11, 1991 in Accra, Ghana
Hometown: Ajumako, Ghana
Citizenship: Ghana
Acquired: Selected in the Third Round (42nd overall) in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft, will compete for roster spot during 2014 preseason.
Previous Experience: University of California Santa Barbara (2010-2013)