skip navigation

Legion FC Signs Key Trio to New Deals for 2021 Season

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 12/01/20, 4:11PM EST

Share

Matt VanOekel, Alex Crognale, Mikey Lopez among 11 confirmed returnees for third campaign


Alex Crognale (left), Matt VanOekel (center) and Mikey Lopez (right) have all signed new contracts to remain with Birmingham Legion FC as the club enters the 2021 USL Championship season.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Birmingham Legion FC announced on Tuesday it had signed goalkeeper Matt VanOekel, defender Alex Crognale and midfielder Mikey Lopez to new contracts, and that a core of 11 players overall were set to return for the 2021 USL Championship season.

VanOekel, Lopez, and Crognale join midfielder Bruno Lapa in having signed new deals for the 2021 season. Neco Brett, Anderson Asiedu, and Bolu Akinyode will return on their existing contracts, while the club exercised options on Jonny Dean, Eli Crognale, Marcos Ugarte, and Ford Parker.

“We are excited about the return of a strong group of our core players,” said Legion FC President and GM Jay Heaps. “And while we had difficult roster decisions to make, we also have created flexibility to add players that can make us stronger in 2021.”

The club also announced that it had declined options on Brian Wright, Prosper Kasim, Razak Cromwell and Rudy Mensah, while Josh Bauer and Mathieu Laurent are out of contract. Negotiations are also ongoing for a possible return for Daigo Kobayashi, Trevor Spangenberg and Jake Rufe.

Lapa had a standout first professional season as he became Legion FC’s first Championship All-League First Team selection, and was also voted team MVP, Fan’s Choice Award Winner while leading the team in assists (5), shots (26) and chances created (35).

Alex Crognale is also set to return for his second year at the club after earning Championship All-League Second Team honors this past season. The elder of the Crognale brothers also claimed the club’s Defender of the Year award as he led the side in passes, clearances, tackles, and duels won.

The club also brings back Golden Boot award winner Brett, who led the team with nine goals in 2020, as well as Newcomer of the Year, Dean, who tied with Lapa for the team lead in assists, and 2019 Fan’s Choice Award winner VanOekel, who finished ninth in the league this year with four shutouts. 

Follow the USL Championship

Most Recent News

Most Read News

Latest Videos