INDIANAPOLIS – FC Dallas tabbed Furman University sophomore Walker Zimmerman as the No. 7 overall selection in Thursday afternoon’s Major League Soccer SuperDraft at the Indiana Convention Center.

The center back, who inked a Generation adidas contract with MLS earlier this month, tallied six goals and adding three assists while helping the Paladins to a 12-4-3 record this past season.  Zimmerman, who also became a regular in the United States U-20 National Team’s lineup in 2012, earned College Soccer News All-American First Team honors, NSCAA All-American Second Team accolades and was a member of the Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Season.  A two-time All-Southern Conference pick, Zimmerman finished his Paladin career with 11 goals and five assists in two seasons.

“I am definitely excited to be joining the FC Dallas organization,” said Zimmerman.  “It’s a dream come true.  Today marks the end of my youth career and the beginning of my professional career.  It’s a great day.”

A Lawrenceville, Ga., native, Zimmerman joins a FC Dallas side that posted a 9-13-12 record and finished sixth in MLS’ Western Conference during the 2011-12 season.  A charter member of MLS in 1995, FC Dallas reached the MLS Cup in 2010 after claiming the Western Conference championship.

“I’m really pleased for Walker to be selected by FC Dallas,” said Furman head coach Doug Allison.  “He’s represented Furman with class on and off the field over the last two years, and I know he will do the same in Dallas.”

The eighth different Furman product to be selected in the MLS SuperDraft since 2000, Zimmerman is the first Paladin chosen since Shea Salinas and Jon Leathers were both taken in the second round of the 2008 draft.  Former Paladin and current Houston Dynamo midfielder Ricardo Clark was Furman’s highest selection, going as the No. 2 overall pick to the New York/New Jersey MetroStars in 2003.  Tottenham Hotspur and U.S. National Team standout Clint Dempsey was the eighth overall selection in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft following his junior year at Furman.

FC Dallas opens the season at home versus the Colorado Rapids on March 2.

Furman In The MLS Draft
Name
Year Rd./Pick
Team

Daniel Alvarez
2000 4^th
N.Y./N.J. MetroStars

Seth Marks
2000 5^th
FC Dallas

Daniel Alvarez
2002 3^rd
Colorado Rapids

J. Barry Nusum
2002 3^rd
Columbus Crew

Ricardo Clark
2003 1st/#2
N.Y./N.J. MetroStars

Clint Dempsey
2004 1st/#8
New England Revolution

Shea Salinas
2008 2nd/#15
San Jose Earthquakes

Jon Leathers
2008 2nd/#25
Sporting Kansas City

Walker Zimmerman
2013 1st/#7
FC Dallas