Somali international and Seattle Sounders FC product joins the Lights for the 2026 season
Las Vegas Lights FC today announced that the club has signed forward Handwalla Bwana, pending league and federation approval.
Bwana is under contract with the Lights through the 2026 season.
The 26-year-old winger made 25 appearances across all competitions for South Georgia Tormenta FC last season, contributing with three goals and two assists as the Statesboro side qualified for the USL League One playoffs.
“We’re pleased to welcome Handwalla to the Lights,” said Sporting Director Gianleonardo Neglia. “He’s a dynamic player that can play across every position of the forward line, giving us valuable flexibility. During preseason with the group, it was clear that he’s back fully healthy after unfortunate injuries derailed his previous stops in this league. We’re excited to see his talent emerge here in Vegas as another strong attacking option to compete for places this season.”
A product of the Seattle Sounders FC Academy, Bwana made his professional debut for Seattle’s second team on September 11, 2015, in a 1-0 defeat to the Orange County Blues.
Bwana then spent two years with the University of Washington Huskies, participating in 38 matches and tallying 11 goals and 11 assists. In his final season, he earned All-Pac-12 and United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I All-Far West Region First-Team recognition.
After his successful college career, he signed a Homegrown Player deal with Seattle Sounders, making his first-team debut on March 4, 2018 as a substitute in a 1-0 defeat to LAFC. Bwana made a total of 36 appearances for Seattle, contributing with four goals and two assists, and lifting the MLS Cup trophy in 2019.
On October 21, 2020, the Mombasa-born winger joined Nashville SC, where he’d make 12 appearances across all competitions. He spent part of the 2022 season at now defunct USL Championship side Memphis 901 FC, participating in four matches and scoring one goal.
He spent the following two seasons at USL Championship side Charleston Battery, where he worked with current Lights Head Coach Devin Rensing.
In January 2025, Bwana signed for South Georgia Tormenta FC, where he contributed significantly to the club’s playoff-clinching campaign.
Las Vegas will kick off the 2026 home schedule on Saturday, March 28 against Monterey Bay FC. Tickets are available now at lasvegaslightsfc.com/tickets.
