March 27, 2006

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Former UAB men's soccer standout Rumbani Munthali has signed a professional contact with the Nanchang Bayi Football Club in the China's first division professional soccer league. Munthali, a third team NSCAA All-American in 2000, was a four-time All-Conference USA selection under Mike Getman from 1997-2000, including a pair of first team honors in 1999 and 2000.

"We are very pleased for Rumba," Getman said. "He is the first UAB player and one of a very few foreign players who have ever played in the Chinese professional league. It is a well-respected league internationally and very difficult to gain acceptance to. It is a great honor, but also a great challenge for him."

Munthali is an experienced midfielder and defender first division United Soccer League veteran, having played for the Richmond Kickers, Montreal Impact and his hometown Toronto Lynx.

Nanchang Bayi Soccer Club is in the Jiangxi Province located in southeastern China.