ROCHESTER, Mich. – Infusing young talent to the strong core of experienced contributors set to return this fall, the Oakland Golden Grizzlies men's soccer program announced the addition of Novi Detroit Catholic Central midfielder Ali Jaffer to their 2023 recruiting class.

Tallying the golden goal in double-overtime to lift the Shamrocks over Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood in the Catholic High School League Bishop Division Championship Game on October 5, 2022, Jaffer was a Division 1 All-State selection and was named to the Dream Team by the Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association (MIHSSCA) as a senior.

"Ali is an exciting signing for us, as he is an extremely dynamic player that can play anywhere across the front four attacking positions," head coach Eric Pogue said.

"He is very smooth on the ball and reminds me of some past Oakland greats, like my teammate Rob Wisser, as well as Tommy Catalano, which are great players to be compared to. We have high hopes for Ali and expect him to come in and compete to contribute from Day One in Oakland Black & Gold.

"Ali comes with a great background and pedigree having developed with the VARDAR MLSNEXT Academy under our assistant coach Mike Lupenec, as well as at Detroit Catholic Central High School under Gene Pulice, as one of the top high school players in Michigan and a Dream Team member."

Helping the Shamrocks advance all the way to the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Division 1 State Semifinals in 2022, Jaffer is excited to be a Golden Grizzly and ready to hit the ground running.

"I am blessed to receive this incredible opportunity to wear the Oakland Black & Gold this August," Jaffer shared.

"I would like to give a huge thanks to Coach Pogue and the entire Oakland coaching staff for this incredible opportunity! I look forward to competing for and winning Horizon League Championships and making NCAA Tournament runs as a Golden Grizzly."

Since joining the Horizon League for the 2013 campaign, Oakland has captured the conference title and qualified for the NCAA Tournament three times, most recently in 2021.

The Fall 2023 season will begin in just over seven months in August, but the Golden Grizzlies will be in action before then as the program will play seven exhibition matches from February-April, all taking place at the on-campus Oakland Sports Dome.