MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis 901 FC announced on Wednesday the club had signed Australian midfielder Zach Duncan to a multi-year contract ahead of the 2024 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

"We are delighted to welcome Zach and his wife Laura to Memphis,” Assistant Sporting Director Caleb Patterson-Sewell said. “Zach has been playing at a very high level and prior to his injury had interest from top clubs in Europe. We look forward to him being a big contributor for us this season and helping us fight for a championship.”

Duncan joins 901 FC as a box-to-box central midfielder from Aarhus GF of the Danish Superliga, the top tier of Danish soccer. Duncan most recently saw action on loan with Perth Glory in in A-League in Australia, where he made 24 appearances and recorded one goal during the 2022-23 A-League season.

The 23-year-old also appeared in matches for Australia's U-23 squad from 2019-2020, while having previously played in the A-League for the Brisbane Roar before his move to Denmark.

Analysis

Memphis’ addition of Zach Duncan has some risk attached to it given his past injuries – including a torn ACL with former club Aarhus GF in Denmark – but the top-flight pedigree he brings is unquestionable. Still only 23 years old, the central midfielder has already made more than 50 top-flight appearances between his native Australia and Denmark in his career.

Duncan also helped Australia qualify for the 2020 Olympic Men’s Soccer Tournament as a 19-year-old, playing five of the side’s six games including its decisive playoff against Uzbekistan to earn a place at the event. If he’s able to put in a full season, this is a signing that has a lot of potential upside for 901 FC.