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TRANSACTIONS: Francois Inks Deal with 1868 FC

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 01/30/20, 2:05PM EST

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Bold FC brings in League One title-winner on loan; Bolt rejoins Battery for third season

RENO, Nev. – Reno 1868 FC announced on Thursday it had signed Christiano François for the 2020 USL Championship season, pending league and federation approval. François comes to the club after spending 2019 with Ottawa Fury FC, where he scored eight goals and notched six assists. 

“François is a player that was one of our primary targets this year to bring to Reno,” said Reno Head Coach Ian Russell. “He’s a wide player that possesses a lot of pace and can definitely get behind the defense. He can take guys on one on one.”

Across four seasons in the Championship, François has recorded 14 goals and 19 assists, with his breakout campaign coming last year in Canada’s capital as he finished third on the side in goals and tied for the team-high in assists to help Ottawa reach the USL Championship Playoffs. Prior to his season with Fury FC, François played for Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, where he was an integral part of the club’s top-four finish in the Eastern Conference during the 2018 regular season.

“He works really hard,” said Russell. “He’s another player that is going to do the defensive work we ask but is extremely dynamic in attack and is going to cause a lot of issues for opposing defenses.”

A former standout at the University of Maryland, François’ performances last season earned him his first appearances for the Haiti Men’s National Team as he made his debut for Les Grenadiers in September of 2019.

AUSTIN ADDS LEAGUE ONE STANDOUT ON LOAN: Austin Bold FC announced on Thursday it had acquired defender Brecc Evans on loan from USL League One title-holders North Texas SC for the 2020 USL Championship season, pending league and federation approval.

“We’re excited to have Brecc with The Bold for 2020.” said Bold FC Head Coach Marcelo Serrano. “He’s already accomplished a lot at a young age with North Texas SC by captaining a brand-new franchise to its first championship. I hope to help him grow even more during his time in Austin.”

Evans was named captain of North Texas SC in his first professional season and led the team to first place in the League One regular season as well as the inaugural USL League One title in 2019. The 20-year-old center back started 24 games and helped the club earn a league-high 14 clean sheets.

“I am extremely excited to get started here at Austin Bold,” said Evans. “They have given me an opportunity to display my talents and I hope to make a positive impact on the team. I have come here to win championships just as I did at North Texas last year and every day the hard work will be aimed toward that goal.”

Evans’ arrival continues the relationship between Bold FC and FC Dallas which saw both Ema Twumasi and Francis Atuahene compete for Austin on loan during the 2019 season.

“I’m happy that their organization was impressed by our development of those two players to loan us another young promising player to continue the close connection between our clubs,” said Bold FC General Manager Roberto Silva.

BOLT RETURNS TO BATTERY: The Charleston Battery announced on Thursday that defender Jay Bolt would rejoin the club for a third season. Bolt’s return follows a 2019 campaign which saw the defender sidelined for much of the year through injury.

Bolt opened the 2019 season strongly, starting six of Charleston's first seven matches before missing the next 11 matches. He returned briefly midway through the season, but then missed the final two months of the campaign as Charleston earned a place in the USL Championship Playoffs.

The 25-year-old had been a regular for the Battery in his first season with the club as he made 27 appearances and logged 1,808 minutes. A former standout at North Florida University collegiately where he was named to the United Soccer Coaches Southeast All-Region First Team in his senior season in 2016, Bolt recorded 36 clearances, 36 interceptions and had 17 key passes in his first season with the Battery.

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