CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Battery announced on Thursday the club had signed defender Derek Dodson ahead of the 2023 USL Championship season. The transactions is pending league and federation approval.

Dodson joins Charleston after most recently competing for fellow USL Championship club Memphis 901 FC this past campaign. The 24-year-old made 30 appearances across the regular season and playoffs and notched three goals and three assists while helping 901 FC set club records for points and wins in a regular season campaign.

“I’m very excited to join the Charleston Battery,” said Dodson. “The opportunity to continue playing for Coach Pirmann, coupled with the history of this club and the support from the community, made this a very attractive destination for me. I can’t wait to get to work and compete for the city.”

With Memphis, Dodson regularly contributed on both sides of the ball and from multiple positions, including as a forward and a winger. He tallied 22 chances created, 31 clearances, 16 interceptions, 24 tackles won and 135 duels won last season. His move to Charleston reunites him with Head Coach Ben Pirmann, who worked with Dodson at Memphis last season.

“Derek is a very talented and cerebral footballer, he has a great understanding of how we want to play from a holistic perspective,” said Pirmann. “He is as driven and competitive as anyone in this league. Derek has played as a striker and a winger, and played the last nine matches of 2022 as a right back. His abilities, awareness and versatility make him such a tremendous addition to our team.

“Dodson also has such a unique profile as an individual player; he can score and create goals, he has tremendous fitness to go up and down the field to support his teammates and he is one of the best in the league in recovering the ball from opponents. We believe his best performances are ahead of him.”

“Coach Pirmann’s leadership style will allow everyone to adopt the same mindset of being the hardest working and most selfless team in the league,” added Dodson. “This shared mindset will create a high-energy, attacking style of soccer that will be very fun for our fans."

A native of Aurora, Ill., Dodson was selected eighth overall in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft by Orlando City SC. After signing with the Lions, Dodson spent the 2021 season on loan with USL Championship side Hartford Athletic where he recorded five goals and three assists across 22 matches with the Connecticut club.

Dodson was a standout during his collegiate career at Georgetown University from 2017 to 2021, playing primarily as a forward. He scored 32 goals across 72 appearances, including one in the Hoya’s 2019 NCAA National Championship win, and added 14 assists. During his time with the Hoyas, Dodson was an All-Big East First Team selection on three occasions and the 2017 Big East Freshman of the Year.