Men’s Soccer Announces 2026 Signing Class
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky men’s soccer and head coach Johan Cedergren have announced the 2026 signing class and the addition of nine incoming players to the Wildcats’ roster for the 2026 season.
The first player of the 2026 class is forward Fredrik Skilberg, a fifth-year transfer from SMU. Skilberg’s tenure with the Mustangs lasted four seasons from 2022 to 2025, scoring eight goals, three assists and 19 points, including a career-high seven goals during his freshman season, a year in which he earned All-AAC Rookie Team honors. Skilberg is a native of Stockholm, Sweden and played for IFK Lidingö formerly with Djurgården IF prior to the start of his collegiate career with SMU.
Next is Daniel Rose, who transfers to Kentucky after playing his first two collegiate seasons with Sun Belt rival Marshall. Rose, a native of Leeds, England, appeared and started in 15 matches for the Thundering Herd during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, recording 28 career saves and four clean sheets, along with a 6-1-7 overall record. Before his collegiate career, Daniel developed in two of Europe’s premier academies—Everton FC in England and Schalke 04 in Germany—competing against some of the world’s strongest youth talent. He also represented the Republic of Ireland at the youth international level, showcasing his quality on a global stage and gaining invaluable experience under elite coaching environments.
The third transfer for the Wildcats this season is Emil Corfitzen, a forward transfer from Pearl River Community College. The Denmark-native played his first two collegiate season with the Wildcats, scoring 29 career goals, including a career-high 18 during his sophomore season in 2025, 18 assists and 76 points. Before moving to the United States, Emil competed with Vanløse BK in Denmark’s 3rd Division, where he gained valuable experience in a highly competitive senior environment.
Jacob English, a native of Louisville, Ky., transfers to UK from Southern Indiana University. English played 15 games for the Eagles during his freshman season in 2025, recording a team-high 80 saves, a .681 save percentage and one clean sheet.
Forward Michael Lee joins the Wildcats from arch-rival Louisville, playing two seasons with the Cardinals in 2024 and 2025. Lee appeared in 32 matches for Louisville, including 28 starts, scoring five goals and five assists. Prior to his collegiate career, Lee developed through the Toronto FC Academy, scoring 17 goals in 25 matches during the 2022-23 MLS NEXT season. In 2024, Lee played in the League 1 Ontario Men’s Championship Division, finishing the season with seven goals and six assists in 13 matches.
Next is Carson Hammond, a junior defender from Placentia, Calif. Hammond spent two seasons at UC Davis, competing at a high collegiate level and gaining valuable experience in a demanding environment. In 2024, he earned All–Big West All-Freshman Team honors after appearing in 21 matches, starting 20, for the Aggies and recording one goal and two assists from his defensive position.
Along with Rose, midfielder Yasha Schaerer features as the second player on this season’s recruiting class to transfer to Kentucky from Marshall. In his lone season with the Thundering Herd, Schaerer appeared in 16 matches in 2025, including seven appearances in the starting XI, recording five assists, which finished tied for the team lead. Prior to his stint with Marshall, the Switzerland-international played his freshman season at SIUE, earning a plethora of individual accolades in 2024, including Second team All-North Region, Ohio Valley Conference Midfielder of the Year, First Team All-OVC selection, OVC All-Newcomer team and OVC All-tournament team.
The final addition to the 2026 roster is defender Amadou Diop, a junior transfer from Georgia Gwinnett. The Lyon, France native played for the Grizzlies during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, appearing in 17 matches both seasons and totaling 29 appearances in the starting XI and logging 2,520 career minutes. Diop scored three goals and assisted on three more from his defensive position in his two-year career with Georgia Gwinnett. He is also a two-time Continental Athletic Conference team selection.
For the latest on the Kentucky men’s soccer team, follow @UKMensSoccer on X, Facebook and Instagram, as well as on the web at UKAthletics.com.
