Jassem Koleilat
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 30 July 1999 | ||
| Place of birth | Prague, Czech Republic | ||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||
| Position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Birmingham Legion FC | ||
| Number | 1 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2016 | Ultimate Goalkeeper Academy | ||
| 2016–2018 | Stade Lavallois | ||
| 2018 | Sparta Prague | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2019 | Iowa Western Reivers | 18 | (0) |
| 2021–2022 | New Hampshire Wildcats | 41 | (0) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2017–2018 | Stade Lavallois II | 5 | (0) |
| 2022 | Seacoast United Phantoms | 10 | (0) |
| 2023 | Los Angeles FC 2 | 7 | (0) |
| 2024–2025 | Forge FC | 41 | (0) |
| 2026– | Birmingham Legion FC | 0 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 5 February 2026 | |||
Jassem Koleilat (born 30 July 1999) is a Czech professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for USL Championship club Birmingham Legion FC.
Koleilat was born in Prague, Czech Republic to a Czech-Lebanese father, Aziz, and a Lebanese mother.[1][2] They met in Lebanon, before moving to Montreal, Canada for six years, where his father attended McGill University.[2] When he was two months old, Koleilat and his family relocated to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.[1][2] In Dubai, he trained with the Ultimate Goalkeeper Academy.[3]
In June 2016, he joined the youth system of French club Stade Lavallois.[4] While part of the Laval academy, he made senior appearances for the club's reserve side, Stade Lavallois II, in the Championnat National 3 during the 2017–18 season.[citation needed]
In 2018, he moved to the youth system of Czech club Sparta Prague.[5]
College career
In 2019, Koleilat enrolled at Iowa Western Community College and played for the men's soccer team in the NJCAA.[6] At the end of the season, he earned Second Team Academic honours and Second Team All-Region honours.[7][8]
In 2021, he transferred to the University of New Hampshire to play NCAA Division I soccer.[9] He made his NCAA debut on 26 August 2021 in a shutout victory over the Boston University Terriers.[10] In September 2021, he was named the school's Student-Athlete of the Week,[11] and in November he earned America East Conference Defensive Player of the Week honours.[12] He was named to the America East All-Conference Second Team and the All-Northeast Region First Team at the conclusion of the season.[13]
Ahead of the 2022 campaign, Koleilat was named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List.[14] In October 2022, he again received America East Defensive Player of the Week honours.[15] After the season, he was named to the All-Northeast Region First Team and the All-America East Second Team for the second consecutive year.[16] He also received the team's Most Dedicated Player Award.[17]
Club career
Early career
In 2022, Koleilat played for the Seacoast United Phantoms in USL League Two.[18]
At the 2023 MLS SuperDraft, he was selected in the second round (58th overall) by Los Angeles FC.[19] For the 2023 season, he signed with the club's MLS Next Pro affiliate, Los Angeles FC 2.[20]
Forge FC
In February 2024, Koleilat joined Canadian Premier League club Forge FC on a short-term deal ahead of their CONCACAF Champions Cup matches.[21] He had previously trained with the club before his senior year in college in 2022.[22] In March 2024, Koleilat signed a multi-year deal with Forge.[23][24]
He made his club debut on 11 May 2024, recording a clean sheet in a 0–0 league draw against Pacific FC.[25] Throughout the season he formed a two-goalkeeper tandem with Christopher Kalongo, sharing starting duties.[26][27] He helped Forge win the 2024 CPL Shield as regular-season champions, the first trophy of his professional career.[28] After the season, the club exercised his option for 2025.[29][30] At the end of the 2025 season, Koleilat won the Canadian Premier League Golden Glove award as the league's top goalkeeper.[31]
Birmingham Legion FC
In February 2026, Koleilat signed with USL Championship club Birmingham Legion FC.[32]