Danny Istambouli

Bilingual attacking midfielder born in Thousand Oaks, California, with a dual American-Lebanese passport. Istambouli was forged at South Kent School, where he won back-to-back national championships and was named Connecticut Prep Player of the Year and All-American. His NCAA Division I career took him from Boston College to Sacred Heart University, where in 2025 he delivered a standout season: 14 starts, 6 goals, 4 assists and the All-MAAC Second Team recognition as a midfielder. In parallel, he represented the Lebanon U-23 National Team in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers held in Thailand. A player built between two worlds who has turned his dual identity into a competitive edge.

South Kent School: the champion's laboratory

Before the NCAA, Istambouli honed his craft at South Kent School, one of Connecticut's most storied prep schools in East Coast soccer. He didn't just attend: he led and won. Back-to-back national championships in 2022 and 2023, 25 goals in his final year, and a honors page that includes Connecticut Prep Player of the Year, All-American, All New-England and All-State. A foundation that few players arrive at the NCAA with as complete.

Boston College and the ACC: learning in the toughest environment

In 2023 he arrived at Boston College as a freshman in one of the most demanding conferences in US college soccer, the ACC, alongside programs like North Carolina, Duke and Virginia. The first year brought no appearances but a deep absorption of pace, methodology and level. In 2024 the story changed: seven appearances in the first team, one start, and his first college goal against Suffolk on October 14th. A rite of passage that confirmed the adaptation was complete.

AC Connecticut: cup, trophy and a step into semi-professional football

His first USL League Two experience came with AC Connecticut, a Newtown-based club that uses the summer to develop college players from the region. Istambouli didn't stay on the bench: he competed in the club's tournaments, lifted a winter cup and was named to the All-Tournament Team. The trophy photo and the goal video confirm it.

Sacred Heart University: the season that changes the profile

Transferring to Sacred Heart University's Pioneers for the 2025 MAAC Conference season, Istambouli started all 14 games, chained 6 goals and 4 assists and finished the campaign with 16 NCAA points and the All-MAAC Second Team recognition as a midfielder. His 25 shots and 12 on goal reveal his goal-scoring instinct. He doesn't wait for chances; he creates them.

Lebanon U-23: the leap to international football

The natural corollary to that season was the Lebanon U-23 call-up for the 2025 AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers held in Thailand. Representing the cedar in an Asian confederation tournament, having built an entire career within the US college system, speaks to a player who has kept both his identities active. The goals scored with the U-23s are visible proof that his MAAC goal-scoring form travels with him.

South Kent: 2 national championships, 25 goals, CT Prep Player of the Year, All-American. Boston College (2023-2024): first college goal in the ACC. AC Connecticut: winter cup + All-Tournament Team. Sacred Heart University 2025: All-MAAC Second Team, 6G 4A. Lebanon U-23 National Team: AFC U23 Qualifiers Thailand 2025. Bilingual attacking midfielder with dual passport.