SANTA BARBARA, Calif. –  The UC Santa Barbara Men’s Soccer team and Coach Tim Vom Steeg are excited to announce the signing of six new transfers. This new class of transfers brings NCAA Tournament experience, All-Big West performers, and seasoned talent from across the globe.
 
Four of the six newcomers hail from Europe –  Kalle Rahbek, Simone Ferrieri, Tobias Gerber, and Viggo Gustavsson –  Joined by California natives David Ruy and Donovan Sessoms. Four of the six played for Division one schools, with Gustavsson coming off a sweet sixteen run in the NCAA Tournament.

Viggo Gustavsson | Defender | 6’3” | Grand Canyon
 
A standout defender from Grand Canyon, Gustavsson will begin his junior season with the Gauchos. Born in Stockholm, Sweden, he spent his youth years with AIK U-19 and AIK U17 and the U-17 Swedish national team. Gustavsson led the back line for Grand Canyon and finished with the fifth most minutes played on the team his freshman year, receiving All-WAC Freshman team honors. In his sophomore season, Gustavsson received All-WAC Tournament Team honors and helped lead the Antelopes to a Sweet 16 NCAA Tournament run. Gustavsson will be reunited with his former teammate and current Gaucho Calle Mollerberg in Santa Barbara, strengthening an already formidable Gaucho back line.

Donovan Sessoms | Forward | 5’10” | Sacramento State 
 
Forward Donovan Sessoms joins the Gauchos following an impressive junior season for the Hornets. The 61st overall pick to San Diego FC in the 2024 MLS Super Draft, Sessom began his campaign of dominance in the 2024 season. Sessoms received All-Big West First Team honors, alongside two Big West Offensive Player of the Week selections and a naming to the TopDrawerSoccer National Team of the Week. After opting to remain at Sacramento State following the 2024 draft, Sessoms picked up where he left off and received All-Big West Second Team honors following the 2025 season. Prior to Sacramento State, Sessoms played his freshman season at UNLV where he featured in 14 matches. The proven Big West standout forward adds valuable experience to a Gaucho attack that will be without their veteran number nine, Nicolas Wiillumsen, following his graduation.

Kalle Rahbek | Midfield | 5’11” | Wofford
 
Midfielder Kalle Rahbek will make a cross-country trip to Santa Barbara following a commanding year with the Terriers. The All-Southern Conference First Team midfielder led his team with 19 starts in 19 games and recorded four goals and six assists in his 2025 campaign. In his freshman year, Rahbek was no stranger to success either, as he was named to the All-Southern Conference Freshman Team. The Denmark native played his youth years with Naesby BK, made his senior debut for the club at 17 and tallied 24 goals and one assist. Rahbek will join the Gaucho midfield to fill the shoes of recent graduates Ramses Martinez and Thomas Noordegraaf. 

David Ruy | Goalkeeper | 6’2” | Saint Mary's
 
Goalkeeper David Ruy will be joining the Gauchos for his sophomore season following a year at Saint Mary’s. The former three-star recruit and De Anza Force MLS Academy keeper hopes to embark on a successful tenure within Santa Barbara. Ruy brings high level, championship experience from his time with De Anza Force, the formerly top-five-ranked team in the nation and winner of the MLS Next Northwest Division. Ruy will be joining a strongly established goalkeeper union and hope to battle current number one Owen Beninga for the starting spot.

Tobias Gerber | Midfielder | 5’11” | Northeast Community College
 
Coming off a strong, 14-point freshman season, Tobias Gerber will be joining the Gauchos for his sophomore year. Tallying five goals and four assists for the Hawks, the midfielder will hope to continue that dominance in the Big West. Gerber was named First Team All-Region following the season in which Northeast was ranked number one nationally and were Region 11 Champions. Gerber, like Rahbek, will join the Gaucho midfield to bring a creative and attack-minded skill set to complement the more defensive Jack Middleton and Ethan Senter.

Simone Ferrieri | Defender | 6’2” | Varese FC (Serie D)
 
The Frosinone academy product will lace 'em up for the Gauchos this upcoming season following two seasons in the Serie D — Italy's fourth division — playing for Vado FC and Varese FC. The versatile defender and winger has tallied 65 appearances in the Serie D and totaled three goals and six assists over two years played. Ferrieri will fill the Gauchos' need for a true right-sided player, offering the Gauchos an additional option anywhere along their right flank. That includes at right back, a position up for grabs after the graduation of Haruki Utsumi.