OC Soccer Club signs former Aliso Niguel High School standout Chris Wehan

Chris Wehan will be joining OC Soccer Club. (Photo courtesy OC Soccer Club)

Orange County Soccer Club has signed top free-agent midfielder Chris Wehan to a USL Championship contract, pending league and federation approval, officials announced Friday.

Wehan, a former Aliso Niguel High school standout, spent 2019 and 2020 with New Mexico United in the USL Championship, netting seven goals and five assists in 15 appearances during the pandemic shortened 2020 season.

“I am very excited that Chris has signed for Orange County,” said OCSC Head Coach Braeden Cloutier. “He has been a player that I have admired for several years. I look forward to adding his creativeness and professionalism to our group.”

Wehan, 26, from Laguna Niguel, signed his first professional contract with Reno 1868 FC in 2017, where he was named USL assist champion, USL first-team all-league, and USL Rookie of the Year with 12 assists and eight goals.

In 2018 Wehan signed with the Reno 1868 MLS affiliate San Jose Earthquakes where he made six appearances and two starts before being loaned back to Reno 1868 FC for the remainder of the 2018 Season.

In 2019 Wehan became an inaugural member of the 2019 USL expansion team New Mexico United where he recorded 16 goals and 11 assists over two seasons as an attacking midfielder and established himself as one of the best players in the USL Championship.

“I am elated to join Orange County SC, a club I used to watch firsthand,” said Wehan. “I am extremely grateful and excited for this opportunity to move home to Southern California and play for this club that has done so well in the championship over many years.”

Growing up Wehan played club soccer for Orange County United FC and spent one year with the Cal South Olympic Development Program team where he earned a Region IV championship title.

He was a standout at Aliso Niguel High School before playing at the University of New Mexico, where he scored 31 goals and was named first-team All-Conference USA. In 2013 Wehan played for the OC Blues Strikers in the PDL.