HARTFORD, Conn. – Hartford Athletic announced on Thursday the club had signed defender Niall Logue ahead of the 2023 USL Championship season, pending league and federation approval. Logue joins Robin Lapert, Tulu, and Ash Apollon as defenders on the Athletic’s 2023 roster to date.

“I’m very excited to have signed with Hartford and commit to a club who have shown great ambition not only on the pitch, but also off it,” said Logue. “I can’t wait to work with Tab and be a sponge around him. I feel like I can grow so much more as a player playing for him and take my game to even bigger heights. He has had an amazing career and his resume speaks for itself. I’m coming to Hartford to help make this club a top contender not only in the Eastern Conference, but also across the entire USL Championship. I can’t wait to play in front of the very passionate fanbase we have and show them all first hand what I’m capable of.”

Logue comes to Hartford after spending the last two seasons with Memphis 901 FC. The native of Derry, Northern Ireland quickly established himself in the Memphis back line after joining the club on loan from El Paso Locomotive FC in June 2021. He made 22 appearances, led the club in blocked shots (32), and registered 93 clearances as Memphis earned a place in the USL Championship Playoffs for the first time in its history.

The 27-year-old continued to make a consistent impact across 25 appearances and 19 starts in 2022 as well. Logue was second on the team in blocked shots (16) and clearances (83), while swiping 23 interceptions and helping Memphis to a second-place finish in the Eastern Conference.

“As one of the few left-footed center backs in this league, Niall is going to strengthen our defense,” said Head Coach Tab Ramos. “He brings great vocal leadership on the back line and knows what it takes to be a playoff team after two very successful seasons in Memphis. Niall will be a big part of keeping our opponents off the scoreboard in 2023.”