Sofiane Djeffal (born 19 April 1999) is a French professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Austin FC.
Career
Youth
Born in Nantes, Djeffal spent 11 years within local Ligue 1 side FC Nantes's youth academy, where he won a league title at the U17 level.
Oregon State Beavers
Ahead of the 2018 NCAA Division I men's soccer season, Djeffal signed a National Letter of Intent to play college soccer at Oregon State University for the Oregon State Beavers men's soccer program. During his freshman year, Djeffal was an immediate starter in the squad, starting and playing in all 20 matches during his freshman season. During the freshman campaign, he had five goals and seven assists. At the end of his freshman season, he received numerous Pac-12 Conference and national accolades, including being named the Pac-12 Men's Soccer Freshman of the Year, being named to the All-Pac-12 First Team (best XI), and to the TopDrawer Soccer best XI.
He remained a full-time starter in his sophomore season, starting and playing in all 16 matches his sophomore year, having three goals and six assists. During his junior year, he started 10 of the 11 matches, contributing to 6 goals and two assists. He was named to the All-Pac-12 First Team both his sophomore and junior season. During his senior year at Oregon State, Djeffal started in all 19 matches, contributing to six goals and six assists. Upon conclusion of the 2021 NCAA Division I men's soccer season, Djeffal was named the Pac-12 Conference Men's Soccer Player of the Year and an semifinalist for the Hermann Trophy, an annual award for the best college soccer player in the United States.
While at college, Djeffal appeared for USL League Two side Portland Timbers U23s during their 2019 season, making two appearances.
D.C. United
On 11 January 2022, Djeffal was drafted in the second round with the 36th overall pick for D.C. United in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft. After impressing in preseason training, he signed a contract with United on 25 February 2022.
On 26 February 2022, Djeffal made his professional debut for United, coming on in the final 26 minutes in a 3–0 win over Charlotte FC.
Following the 2022 season, his contract option was declined by D.C. United.
Austin FC
On 17 November 2022, Djeffal was selected by Austin FC with the first pick in the MLS Re-Entry Draft Stage 1. He made his debut for the club on March 25th, 2023, coming on as a substitution in the second half against the Colorado Rapids.
On 21 May 2023, Djeffal made his first start for Austin, replacing Jhojan Valencia in central midfield.
Personal life
Djeffal was born in the nordthwest of France and is of Algerian descent.