LAS VEGAS – Las Vegas Lights FC announced on Friday it had signed attacking midfielder Vaughn Covil, who joins the club having most recently competed with EFL Championship side Hull City in England. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

A United States Under-23 National Team player, Covil heads stateside for the first time in his professional career. A native of San Diego, Calif, the 21-year-old was raised in England and came through Southampton FC’s Academy before joining the professional ranks in EFL League Two with Forest Green Rovers.

Covil joined Hull City ahead of the 2022-2023 campaign. As part of his transfer to Hull City, making the jump two rungs of the English soccer pyramid, Covil made eight appearances across the EFL Championship and Carabao Cup action. Covil made his debut for the United States U-23 side in 2023 at the Pan-Am Games, making five appearances for the side.

“We are excited to welcome Vaughn to Lights FC as we look to secure critical points in the standings down the stretch,” said Las Vegas Lights FC Sporting Director Gianleonardo Neglia. “Vaughn is someone who at a young age brings experience in one of the top leagues in the world and whose dynamic, offensive threat makes him an asset in our attack. His arrival adds to our talented roster in the push for the postseason this year.”

Analysis

Vaughn Covil’s arrival at Las Vegas Lights FC offers upside for both parties and fits the ethos with which the Lights have achieved success this season with other young signings Edison Azcona, Coleman Gannon and Shawn Smart.

Covil brings pedigree in his path in the professional ranks and earning an opportunity with the United States U-23s last year, but this is a big opportunity for the 21-year-old to put the pieces together after a torn ACL hampered his progress at Hull City last season. With the Lights poised for a push to the playoffs for the first time in their history, the hope is Covil quickly hits it off with his new teammates and can contribute to the success the side has achieved so far this campaign.