EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley FC announced on Tuesday the club had signed forward Frank Lopez to the 2022 USL Championship roster, pending league and federation approval.

Lopez rejoins the Toros after a productive performance in 2021. The Cuban national was previously acquired on loan from fellow USL Championship club OKC Energy FC on September 3, 2021 and quickly made an impact on the pitch.  

The 26-year-old scored his first goal with RGV on September 11 in the 80th minute of a 1-1 draw against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on the road, and also added a pair of assists in 10 appearances for the club as the Toros advanced to the 2021 USL Championship Playoffs.

“Frank is returning with the Toros looking for continuity and solid performances where he could establish himself as one of the best top scorers in this League”, said Toros Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera.

Lopez has recorded 32 goals in 91 regular-season appearances in the Championship overall, having arrived in the league in 2018 with the LA Galaxy II. In addition, Lopez has also competed in the league for San Antonio FC and Sacramento Republic FC.

On the international level, Lopez has represented Cuba at the U-23, U-20 and U-17 levels while competing for hometown club FC Cienfuegos. While with the U-20 squad, Lopez scored twice on against Canada during the 2015 Concacaf U-20 Championship in Jamaica. Later that year, he defected to the United States during 2015 Concacaf Men’s Olympic Qualifying in the United States, from where he joined the Miami Soccer Academy.