CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Battery announced on Tuesday the club had signed Canadian defender Nathan Dossantos ahead of the 2024 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

The 24-year-old Ontario native joins the Battery after spending the previous two seasons with fellow USL Championship club Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. He goes from the 2023 Championship Players’ Shield winners to the reigning Eastern Conference title holders. 

“I am looking forward to working with this talented group of players day in and day out,” said Dossantos. “The Battery have done a great job developing players and I feel it is a great location to continue my career and grow as both a person and player.”

Dossantos made 56 appearances across all competitions for the Hounds over the past two seasons, recording three assists while developing into a regular starter along the back line. He registered 54 clearances, 38 interceptions, 26 tackles won and 115 duels won in 29 Championship games in 2023.

“Nathan is a very strong and aggressive defender, he can play centrally or wide and in a variety of systems,” said Battery Head Coach Ben Pirmann. “He is good when building the ball from the back and is extremely accountable in his duels. Additionally, Nathan brings a lot of flexibility to our defensive group, is selfless and courageous, and will set the tone against our opponents to shut them down.”

Dossantos was selected with the 46th pick of the 2022 MLS SuperDraft by Orlando City SC prior to signing with Pittsburgh. Before turning pro, he played collegiately at Duquesne University and later Marshall University, winning the 2020 NCAA College Cup with Marshall. Dossantos racked up numerous honors with the Thundering Herd in addition to the national title. Among his honors were being named to the NCAA All-Tournament Team (2020), All-America (2020), First Team All-Conference USA (2020, 2021) and Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year (2021).

Analysis

Nathan Dossantos was a solid part of Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC’s backline a season ago, making 27 starts for the side as it claimed the Championship’s Players’ Shield, and has the potential to make a positive impact either as a starter or depth piece in the Battery’s defensive group. Naturally a left-sided player, he offers the ability to play on the left side of a three-man back line or as a left back, giving the side competition for fellow new arrival Josh Drack.