CHICAGO - Ryan Howe, a recently graduated redshirt senior from the Loyola University Chicago men's soccer team, has signed a professional contract with Saint Louis FC of the United Soccer League (USL), it was announced by the club on Sunday.

"I am very grateful to be given the opportunity to play at the professional level," Howe said. "I want to thank the coaching staff at Loyola for helping develop my game, pushing me to become better each and every day, and for assisting me throughout this entire process. Saint Louis FC is a great organization and I am excited to get to work and to continue my development as a player."

Howe was a fixture in the Rambler lineup during his career with the Maroon & Gold, starting in 59 of the 61 games that he appeared in. He burst onto the scene as a freshman, earning a selection to the Horizon League's All-Tournament team after delivering the deciding strike in a thrilling 4-3 win over city-rival UIC in the league tournament. The Rockford, Ill. chipped in a goal and an assist as a sophomore en route to earning Honorable Mention All-Missouri Valley Conference honors.

Following a knee injury that cost him the majority of two seasons, Howe returned to the Ramblers in 2016 and played a major role in the one of the most successful seasons in program history that saw Loyola capture its first Missouri Valley Conference title and record the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament victory. He started in all 18 games that he appeared in and earned First Team All-Missouri Valley Conference accolades to go along with a Second Team All-West Region selection from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).

"Our entire program is so excited to see Ryan sign with a fantastic organization like Saint Louis FC," Loyola head men's soccer coach Neil Jones commented. "Ryan is one of the most talented, committed, and professional student-athletes I have ever coached and he fully deserves this opportunity. It is great to see that more and more Loyola Men's Soccer players are now moving on to the professional ranks, and Saint Louis FC got an excellent player, and person in Ryan Howe."

Founded in 2014, Saint Louis FC is preparing to begin its third season as a member of the USL. The team opens the 2017 regular season on March 25 when it takes on Louisville City FC, home to former Rambler Tim Dobrowolski. More information on Saint Louis FC can be found on its official website.