The Charleston Battery have signed 18-year-old goalkeeper Danny Fischer, who is committed to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, to a USL Academy contract for the upcoming season.
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Battery announced on Tuesday the club had added goalkeeper Danny Fischer as a USL Academy signing ahead of the 2023 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.
Fischer is committed to play Division I soccer at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) in the fall. As a USL Academy signing, Fischer will be eligible to train and compete at the professional level in Charleston while preserving his NCAA eligibility.
“I’m really excited for the opportunity to play for the Battery,” said Fischer. “Being a professional soccer player has been my dream and it’s almost hard to believe that I’m here right now, but I’m ready for a great season.”
Born and raised in St. Louis, Mo., Fischer played youth soccer with the highly-regarded development club St. Louis Scott Gallagher SC, whose alumni include current United States Men’s National Team players Tim Ream and Josh Sargent.
The 18-year-old was called up for the club’s 2020 U.S. Youth Soccer team and helped them advance to the Semifinals of the 2020 USYS National Championship. Fischer played his past two years with the SLSG U-19 squad competing in MLS Next. He led the team in clean sheets in the 2022 fall season with four.
Fischer’s arrival marks the first Academy signing of 2023 for Battery Head Coach Ben Pirmann.
“Danny is a very steady goalkeeper who is wise beyond his years,” said Pirmann. “He reads the game well for a young player and has a great amount of courage. Danny has done a very good job of adapting to the speed of professional play.
“Coach Brian Jones has also worked with Danny in the past, knows his skillset and development range, and knows how to push him to improve daily. It is great for Danny to be our first Academy signing for the 2023 season, he’s a bright young goalkeeper, and a selfless and tireless worker who fits right into our team.”
Fischer committed to play for SIUE this past November, the same school current Battery assistant coach Brian Jones previously helped lead for seven years. Fischer joins goalkeepers Trey Muse and Daniel Kuzemka at Patriots Point.
“I’m looking forward to being put in challenging situations that will help me grow as a player,” said Fischer. “While it may be difficult at times, I know that I am getting better every day. Training with Coach Jones, Trey and Daniel has been really fun, they’re a great group of guys that like to compete.”