TULSA, Okla. – FC Tulsa announced on Thursday it had acquired defender Alexis Souahy via transfer from Spokane Velocity FC of USL League One. Terms of the transfer agreement will not be disclosed, per club policy, and the transaction is pending league and federation approval.

Souahy has logged 117 appearances and 8,454 minutes of action in the USL Championship across the regular season and playoffs, winning the league title with Louisville City FC in his first professional season in 2018. The 29-year-old also previously competed for New Mexico United and will bring years of experience to FC Tulsa.

“I am thrilled to be joining the team this year!” Souahy said. “I am very excited to meet the fans very soon, and I’m looking forward to contributing to make 2024 the best season yet!”

Most recently, Souahy competed for Union Omaha, where he started every game as Los Buhos won the 2023 USL League One Players’ Shield. Souahy was named to the USL League One All-League First Team after leading the club in clearances (93) and blocked shots (17).

He had signed with Spokane early in January ahead of the club’s inaugural season in League One this spring but will now be reunited with new FC Tulsa Head Coach Mario Sanchez and assistant coach Luke Spencer after their arrival from Louisville City FC’s organization earlier this month.

Prior to joining the professional ranks, Souahy competed for the Michigan Bucks in USL League Two where he helped the side win the league title in 2016. He also competed collegiately for Bowling Green University before joining the professional ranks at Louisville City. In 2021, he earned his first international cap for Comoros in an exhibition against Malawi.

Analysis

New FC Tulsa Head Coach Mario Sanchez’s imprint is writ large in the club’s acqusition of Alexis Souahy, with the former Louisville City FC center back bringing his experience to the club after a season in which he excelled in USL League One.

Souahy’s move is also reminiscent of that of current Tampa Bay Rowdies forward Cal Jennings three years ago, where after signing as a free agent with Indy Eleven early in the offseason he was then acquired by Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles FC, netting the Boys in Blue a transfer fee before he had kicked a ball for the club. Souahy won’t appear in Spokane Velocity FC’s colors this season, but he managed to pay a dividend nonetheless.