KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan University men's soccer team and head coach Chad Wiseman have announced the signing of six student-athletes.
 
Joining the existing 2023 recruiting class of freshman Christian Shannon, Braxton Arpachinda, and Noah James, WMU welcomes graduate transfers Will Perkins (Detroit, Mich.), Amin Fernouchi (Frankfurt, Germany), Tom Cooklin (Lewes, England), and Nick Stone (Pinckney, Mich.), sophomore Alex Lindewirth (Forestill, Mo.), and freshman Alek Markovski (Macomb County, Mich.). All nine players are set to join the Broncos in the fall of 2023.
 
"I think we first need to talk about a few Broncos that have decided to return to WMU for their COVID year of eligibility," said Wiseman. "Charlie Sharp, Dylan Sing and Jaylen Shannon, all returning to the Broncos to compete fall 2023.  These three players I believe could and would start at any program in the nation.  So, in a way they are part of this 2023 recruiting class."
 
"Nine players in all, this class was a lot of fun for my staff and I to put together.  The class has a little of everything when you really look at it.  We have stayed true to our recruiting roots by singing five players from the state of Michigan.  We have added experience with five players coming in from the transfer portal.   We have four true freshman players we expect to grow in our program.  Two internationals, we welcome their cultures and experiences within the game. Academically, these nine guys align with our program values, we produced seven Academic All-Americans last year and all of these new signees are well aware of that and have big goals of what they want to accomplish in the classroom."
 
"With the addition of these nine guys and the players we have returning the time is now.  We believe we have a team that can and will compete against any program in the nation.  We don't rebuild, we reload, and we have done just that.  The expectations are extremely high, the 2023 team is ready to get to work!"
  
 
Will Perkins • Defender • 5-8 • 150 lbs • Detroit, Mich. • U of D Jesuit High School • Michigan State University
Named a 2022 Preseason Big Ten Men's Soccer Player to Watch, Perkins has been a key player for the Michigan State men's soccer program over the last 4 years. He boasts 58 appearances and 42 starts, tallying six goals and seven assists over his career as a Spartan. The Detroit, Michigan native has proven to be an effective leader by serving as the team captain in both 2022 and 2021.  
 
From Perkins: "There are a couple of reasons that I chose Western Michigan, the main one being that the environment and culture the program has will set me up for success both in the classroom and on the playing field. The connections with the community and outreach programs are something I truly value as a role model and wish to continue in the greater Kalamazoo area.  Being a Michigan native, it allows my family to watch me play during the fall season. I am really looking forward to all the challenges that lie ahead, Go Broncos!"
 
Coach Chad Wiseman on Perkins: "Will had a great career at MSU and were thrilled he has decided to spend his covid year with Bronco Nation! He is an out-and-out leader and has a great ability to connect with his teammates. Will brings a very high standard to everything he does.  He has the versatility to play in the outside back position on either side but can serve as a winger as well.  Will is an explosive athlete, a player that can get up and down the flanks. He has great creativity in the final third and can deliver dangerous balls into the box. Our fans are really going to enjoy watching and cheering for Will this fall."
 
Amin Fernouchi • Defender • 6-3 • 187 lbs • Frankfurt, Germany • Lindsey Wilson College
During his four years at Lindsey Wilson College, Fernouchi made 66 appearances and 61 starts. He recorded seven goals and two assists during his career, including two game-winning goals. Fernouchi held a 3.79 GPA as a double major in psychology and business administration and was named a 2022 Daktronics NAIA Men's Soccer Scholar-Athlete and College Sports Communicators NAIA Academic All-District selection. Fernouchi's performance in the 2021 season earned All Mid-South Conference First Team Honors.
 
From Fernouchi: "Choosing Western Michigan University's soccer program was an easy decision. The coaching staff's direct and honest approach showed me the ideal blend of competitiveness and support, pushing me to new heights on the field and shaping me into a resilient individual. With WMU's unwavering support and nurturing environment, I am confident that WMU will help me develop both athletically and academically."
 
Coach Chad Wiseman on Fernouchi: "Amin is a big, strong, left-footed center back that has played 4 years for one of the best NAIA programs in the entire nation. He is an extremely disciplined student-athlete, that performs all his duties on and off the field at an elite level.   Amin's vision and range of passing are very good. His ability to defend top attacking players and physically compete against them is outstanding. He brings a little international flavor to the roster, which we feel is important for fall 2023."
 
Tom Cooklin • Midfielder/Forward • 5-11 • 150 lbs • Lewes, England • George Washington University
Cooklin made 55 appearances and 46 starts for George Washington University from 2019-2022. Throughout his tenure, he scored seven goals and contributed 22 assists, ranking fourth in program history for career assists. In the 2022 season, Cooklin notched 13 assists, placing him fourth in the program's single-season assists record book. Cooklin topped his senior season with A-10 All-Conference First Team honors and was selected for the United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region Third Team.  In 2021, he was named to the A-10 All-Academic Team and A-10 All-Championship Team. Academically, he was recognized on the GW Athletics Academics Dean List and named to the Atlantic 10 Commissioners honor roll.  
 
From Cooklin: "I transferred to WMU to be part of one of the most competitive soccer programs in the country whilst being able to enjoy my college experience with a great group of guys."
 
Coach Chad Wiseman on Cooklin: "Tom is a very technical player with great composer on the ball. He has great play-making ability, great service into the box, and is a set-piece taker. His vision seems to always be one step ahead of his opponents. Tom has the ability to play a couple of different positions for us, we can play him as a winger or insert him into a central midfielder role. He brings with him a wealth of D1 playing experience, he is a leader by example and he is hungry to compete and win a Championship!"
 
Nick Stone • Defender • 5-10 • 160 lbs • Pinckney, Mich. • Pinckney Community High School • Michigan State University
Stone made 58 appearances and 52 starts for Michigan State, contributing two goals and three assists over his career.  Stone led the team in the 2021 season in minutes played, totaling 1,576 minutes.  His dedication to both academics and athletics was recognized in 2021 when he was named an Academic All-Big Ten Honoree.  In the 2020 season, Nick earned All-Big Ten Second Team recognition. 
 
From Stone: "There are a couple of reasons why I have chosen Western Michigan University.  The first is a family atmosphere that the staff and team bring to the table each and every day. With also providing the best environment for academic and athletic success. Lastly, the coaching staff and players have a strong record of maximizing the talents individually for the greater good of the team." 
 
Coach Chad Wiseman on Stone:  "Nick is a player I have watched and coached against for the better part of 7 years going all the way back to his Michigan Wolves days. He is a player with a lot of high-level D1 experience, that can play any position across the backline. He is a competitor, extremely coachable, and always puts the success of the team first."
 
Alex Lindewirth • Goalkeeper • 6-3 • 180 lbs • Forestill, Mo. • Wentzville Holt High School • Bellarmine University
As a freshman at Bellarmine, Lindewirth started and played three complete games in goal. He posted a .33 goals-against average, a .857 save percentage, and two shutouts while going 2-0-1.
 
A Wentzville Holt graduate, Lindewirth secured two state championships in different states, winning with USAMP in South Carolina and SLSG in Missouri before joining academy soccer. During the Missouri championship, he did not allow a single goal through the State Cup Showcase. In his first year with the STLFC Academy, Lindewirth qualified for the MLS Next Cup Playoff. Outside of his playing career, he dedicated his time as a volunteer goalkeeper coach at Holt High School in Missouri.
 
From Lindewirth: "My decision to transfer to WMU was an easy choice. WMU is a top program in college soccer based on hard work, dedication, and learning, which is everything I was looking for in a new program. During the recruiting process, I could feel the energy that revolves around the team and I feel like I can add to that and bring a lot of value. WMU is a place where you get rewarded for putting in the work, and I want to do just that. I'm excited for the opportunities ahead and cannot wait to get to Kalamazoo!"
 
Coach Chad Wiseman on Lindewirth: "Alex is a goalkeeper with great size, length, and athleticism. He has a year of college experience under him, which we feel will help him compete for playing time right away. Alex is very dedicated to his craft and loves to train and be pushed, which fits in very well with our culture. Alex is fearless in goal and plays with a lot of confidence. He has great shot-blocking abilities and communicates extremely well."
 
Alek Markovski • Forward • 6-2 • 165 lbs • Macomb County, Mich. • Utica High School
Hailing from Macomb County, Markovski earned recognition as a two-time MLS Next All-Star with Houston Dynamo and Vardar Academy. Markovski has also played two years in USL League 2, becoming the club's youngest player ever to score in a USL 2 game while playing for Oakland County FC. In addition to his impressive feat, he notched 38 goals and 11 assists in 51 games for Vardar Academy.
 
From Markovski: "The decision to attend and play at Western Michigan was an easy decision for me. The team has been very successful these past couple of seasons on and off the pitch. I believe the environment and style of play at WMU will fit me perfectly. I am beyond grateful for this opportunity from Coach Wisemen and the coaching staff."
 
Coach Chad Wiseman on Markovski: "Alek is a goal scorer, that is what he does best. He has scored goals at the highest youth levels within the MLSNext umbrella. He has a cannon of a left foot and at 6'2 he has great size, we will work to fill that size out once he gets on campus this fall. He continues to grow his hold-up play and has lots of playing experience with several Broncos already on the roster. We think Alek has the potential to be an elite forward at the college level.