BOISE, Idaho — Utah Valley men's soccer alum and 2024 WAC Golden Boot winner Omar Yehya has signed his first professional contract, inking a deal with USL League One expansion side AC Boise, which will play its first season in 2026. 

A native of Redlands, Calif., Yehya spent two seasons in Orem from 2023-24, earning All-WAC honors in each of those campaigns. In 2024, Yehya led the league in goals scored with 12 and added three assists to tie the program single-season record with 27 points. Yehya was the first Wolverine to lead the league in goals outright and ranked in the top 10 nationally entering postseason play. 

Following that season, Yehya was named first team All-Region, All-WAC, and Academic All-American. He is one of two players in program history to earn each of those distinctions in a single season (Paul Hoffmeister, 2016). In 2023, Yehya was named to the All-WAC second team after finishing second on the team in goals scored with four.

This past summer, Yehya competed with USL League Two side Ballard FC, helping the club to a Western Conference title and an appearance in the national title game. Yehya had a goal and two assists for the semi-pro club, including a game-tying assist against Vermont Green with his first touches after coming on as a sub in the national championship. 

With Yehya's signing, the Wolverines now have five former players in the professional ranks. Yehya joins Isaac Emojong — who was just drafted last month by D.C. United with the 31st overall pick — as well as Jojea Kwizera, Zahir Vazquez, and Matt Gay. This is the most active professionals the program has had at any point in its 12-year history.

AC Boise is entering its first season of competition in USL League One. The club was first announced in October of 2024, and unveiled its team name and branding this past July. The first professional soccer team in the state, AC Boise will play its home games at Les Bois Park and will play its first game on March 7 against Sarasota Paradise.