PITTSBURGH – Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC announced on Wednesday it had signed forward Albert Dikwa to a new one-year contract with a club option for the 2023 season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

Dikwa will head into his third season with the Hounds after recording five goals and three assists across 21 games since signing prior to the 2020 campaign.

“Albert brings energy and intelligent movement to our attack,” said Hounds Head Coach Bob Lilley. “He continues to grow as a striker, works hard every day, and is well respected by his teammates. His best soccer is still in front of him, and we are excited about him returning for the 2022 USL season.”

Dikwa got off to a late start to his Hounds career after pandemic-related immigration delays kept him from joining the team at the start of his first season. Once arriving, he made a splash off the bench with three goals in his first six contests, including late game-winners against Loudoun United FC and the Philadelphia Union II. The 24-year-old began to find a groove last season with two goals and three assists in 15 games (11 starts) before having his year cut short by injury.

A former Cameroon Under-20 international, Dikwa turned pro straight out of high school at Florida’s Monteverde Academy when he signed with Orlando City B ahead of the 2017 USL Championship season. He scored three goals as a rookie for Orlando in 2017 and four more in two seasons with Saint Louis FC from 2018-19.