SEASIDE, Calif. – Monterey Bay F.C. announced on Monday the club had signed defender Sam Strong and midfielder Mobi Fehr ahead of its inaugural 2022 USL Championship season. The signings are pending league and federation approval.

A native of Santa Barbara, Strong’s professional career began in 2018 with former USL Championship club Fresno FC ahead of its inaugural season. While in Fresno, Strong connected with current Monterey Bay F.C. Sporting Director and Head Coach Frank Yallop, who was the General Manager for the Foxes at the time. The central defender made 17 appearances in two seasons for the side.

“I’m obviously very excited to join Monterey Bay F.C.,” said Strong. “I’m looking forward to playing with the boys, to playing for Frank and to playing for such a great community.”

In 2020, the 25-year-old made the move to Connecticut to join Championship club Hartford Athletic, where he scored two goals in 13 appearances.

“Sam is an aggressive center back who’s had some experience in the USL Championship,” said Yallop. “I’m looking forward to working with him.”

While being born in New York, Fehr grew up in Japan and played for two years with the Tokyo Verdy Academy before finishing his youth career with the FC Basel Academy in Sweden. From there, Fehr joined Major League Soccer side Portland Timbers FC in 2013 before returning to Japan to sign with Japanese club SC Sagamihara for the 2014 and 2015 seasons. While back in Japan, the midfielder scored three goals in 59 appearances.

The 27-year-old then moved to Vietnamese club Hoàng Anh Gia Lai and recorded two goals in 24 matches played in his three seasons with the team. In 2019, Fehr signed with USL Championship club Las Vegas Lights FC, where he made 39 appearances across two seasons.

“Mobi is a very versatile and experienced player that can cover a number of positions,” said Yallop. “He will add good experience and know-how to our group.”

Internationally, Fehr has earned a total of 19 caps with the United States at the youth level, including two goals and four starts in the FIFA U17 World Cup in 2011.