Forward Madison FC has signed defender Geni Kanyane for the 2026 season, pending league and federation approval. Kanyane is a 24-year-old defender from Johannesburg, South Africa.
Kanyane previously represented South Africa at the U-20 level and was part of the squad that won the 2018 COSAFA Cup. He later played four collegiate seasons at the University of Dayton, where he logged 4,292 minutes, scoring four goals and adding seven assists as a defender.
After his collegiate career, Kanyane was selected 63rd overall by Chicago Fire FC in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft and signed with Chicago Fire FC II in MLS NEXT Pro. During the 2025 season, he appeared in 18 matches, making eight starts and totaling 893 minutes, including two starts in the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs.
Forward Madison Sporting Director Matt Cairnes said Kanyane “checks every box for what a Forward Madison player will look like this season,” noting his balance of technical skill and athleticism.
Forward Madison is scheduled to open the 2026 season on March 14 at Knoxville, and open its home schedule on May 16 against Detroit City FC in the club’s first Prinx Tires USL Cup match at Breese Stevens Field. The team’s first league home match of the season is set for May 29 against Corpus Christi FC in USL League One play.
