ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Rowdies announced on Thursday the club had signed midfielders Leo Fernandes and Lewis Hilton to new contracts to remain in Tampa Bay ahead of the 2025 USL Championship season, retaining two of the club’s longest-serving players. Per club policy, the terms of the contracts were not disclosed.

“It’s always important to have mainstays within your team, so we’re really pleased to sign Leo and Lewis to new contracts,” said Rowdies Head Coach Robbie Neilson. “First and foremost, they are both great characters and leaders within the group. Secondly, we all know how much quality they bring to the field. Securing them is important for us as we continue to compete for a championship.”

The 2022 USL Championship Player of the Year, Fernandes returns for his ninth season with the Rowdies. The 2024 season marked a memorable return to form for Fernandes after missing most of the previous year due to an Achilles injury. In 22 appearances this year, the 32-year-old bagged three goals and four assists.

The longest-tenured player on the Rowdies’ roster, Fernandes recorded two major milestones in the past season, surpassing club legend Georgi Hristov to become the Rowdies modern-era leader in both appearances and assists. Fernandes will have the chance to add to his current tally of 180 appearances and 34 assists across all competitions in the new year.

“I’m so appreciative to stay in Tampa Bay,” said Fernandes. “I’m grateful to Coach Robbie and the staff because they know I’ve been through a tough time the last couple of seasons, and they believe in me. They’re backing me and they know I’m going to give it my all. I strive to be the best. My confidence is back to one hundred. Every time I step on the field I expect to score or assist or impact the game in any way that I can. Hopefully there will be more of that next year.”

Hilton returns to the Rowdies for a sixth season and his 10th season overall in the USL Championship. Since arriving in 2020, Hilton has played a key role in establishing the Rowdies as a perennial title contender. This year, Hilton led the Rowdies with 56 chances created and 3,097 minutes played as the only player to start all 36 contests across the regular season and playoffs.

A native of Newquay, England, Hilton’s 142 appearances in all competitions ranks third among active Rowdies players. In the USL Championship overall, Hilton has recorded 250 regular season appearances, placing him 12th in league history, 19,054 regular season minutes, good for 15th all-time, and 32 assists, tied for 16th all-time.

“This was an easy decision for me,” said Hilton. “This is one of the best teams in the league. Every season I’ve been here we’ve been challenging for those top spots. That’s the main thing for me, I’m desperate to win. I think this is a club where every year we give ourselves a good opportunity to do that. Hopefully next year we’ll get over that line and win a championship. That’s my main motivation.”