DOOPing Overseas: Adeniran scores winner, Findlay and McKenzie keep clean sheets

With many leagues beginning winter breaks in the coming weeks, former Union players are looking to impress before the turn of the year. It was a strong showing for a former striker and two center backs, while a former fan favorite continues to struggle for playing time at his new club. 

With sustained success this decade, fans have seen some of the brightest academy talents, their favorite players, and outcasts make their way overseas to compete in some of the best leagues in the world. The club is represented in Europe, South America, the Middle East, and more.

Let’s see how some of those former Union players fared in last week’s matches:

Samuel Adeniran – The former Union striker scored the winning goal for LASK in a 2-1 road victory over Grazer AK on Saturday. With the score tied at one in the 25th minute, Adeniran found himself on the end of an in-swinging cross, glancing a header home from the edge of the six-yard box. The 27-year-old’s first-half goal would stand as the winner, moving LASK into second place in the Austrian Bundesliga, just three points behind Salzburg. This was Adeniran’s fourth goal of the season and seventh goal contribution, both stats good enough for second on the team.

Stuart Findlay – The former Union center back helped Hearts secure their eighth clean sheet in 17 Scottish Premiership games this season, with a 2-0 road win over Falkirk on Saturday. Findlay made eight clearances and recoveries, won his only tackle and made one interception. The 30-year-old has started every league game for Hearts this season. Findlay and Hearts extended their lead at the top of the table, holding a six-point advantage over Auston Trusty’s Celtic, who have two games in hand. 

Mark McKenzie (Bear, Del.) – The former Union center back played all 90 minutes in Toulouse’s 3-0 road win over Paris FC on Saturday. This marked the second consecutive clean sheet for McKenzie and Toulouse. The 26-year-old made three clearances and two recoveries, while winning two of his three tackles. He also won three of his four ground duels and one of his two aerial duels. McKenzie and his backline limited Paris FC to just two shots on goal and 0.46 expected goals.

Julian Carranza – The former Union striker has been an unused substitute in Leicester City’s last seven games. Carranza’s last appearance came on Nov. 5, 2025, a 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough. The 25-year-old has played nine games (three starts) for the former Premier League champions, only registering three shots on target in 315 minutes. On loan from Feyenoord, a return to the Dutch side could be in the cards if Carranza continues to see little to no playing time. 

Other Notables 

– Jose Martinez and Corinthians clinched a spot in the Copa do Brasil after defeating Cruzeiro on penalties Sunday. 

– Brenden Aaronson (Medord, N.J.) played 17 minutes in a substitute appearance for Leeds in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Brentford. 

– Jamiro Monteiro started and played 67 minutes in PEC Zwolle’s 1-0 home win over Fortuna Sittard on Saturday.

– Auston Trusty played all 90 minutes as Celtic fell to St. Mirren, 3-1, in the Scottish Cup Final on Sunday.

– Leon Flach played 61 minutes in Jagiellonia Bialystok’s 2-1 Europa League loss to Rayo Vallecano on Thursday, and was an unused substitute in a 1-1 draw at Motor Lublin on Sunday.

What’s Next

– Auston Trusty and Celtic visit Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 3 p.m. ET. They then host Aberdeen on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 10 a.m. ET.

– Jose Martinez and Corinthians host Vasco da Gama in Leg 1 of the Copa do Brasil on Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 7:30 p.m. ET. They then travel to Vasco da Gama for the second leg on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 4:30 p.m. ET.

– Leon Flach and Jagiellonia Bialystok visit AZ Alkmaar in the Conference League on Thursday, Dec. 18, at 3 p.m. ET. 

– Julian Carranza and Leicester City travel to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 10 a.m. ET. 

– Mark McKenzie and Toulouse visit Lyon La Duchere in the Coupe de France on Saturday, Dec. 20, at noon ET. 

– Jamiro Monteiro and PEC Zwolle travel to Excelsior on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 12:45 p.m. ET. 

– Brenden Aaronson and Leeds United host Crystal Palace on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 3 p.m. ET.

– Stuart Findlay and Hearts host Rangers on Sunday, Dec. 20, at 8:30 a.m. ET.