PAWTUCKET, R.I. – Rhode Island FC announced on Monday its first roster moves ahead of the 2025 USL Championship season, which will see 14 players return after the side’s Eastern Conference-title winning campaign in its inaugural season. The transactions are pending league and federation approval.

Rhode Island exercised contract options on goalkeeper Jackson Lee, defender Frank Nodarse, midfielders Joe Brito and Clay Holstad, and forward Noah Fuson, who earned the Championship’s Golden Playmaker award after recording 10 assists in the regular season in his first year in the league.

They join nine players who were previously under contract for the 2025 season in goalkeeper Koke Vegas, defenders Stephen Turnbull, Grant Stoneman and Karifa Yao, midfielders Zach Herivaux, Marc Ybarra and Jojea Kwizera, and forwards JJ Williams and Albert Dikwa.

“Going into 2025, we are excited to bring back a strong core of players that contributed to an incredibly successful inaugural season,” said RIFC Head Coach and General Manager Khano Smith. “The players who will not return will forever be part of the foundation and history of Rhode Island FC. We wish them all well in the next steps of their careers.”

The club also announced it had declined options on Kevin Vang, Amos Shapiro-Thompson, Isaac Angking and Kofi Twumasi, but remained in discussions on a potential return to the club.

Additionally, the club announced it had declined options on Nathan Messer, Mark Doyle, Gabriel Alves and Conor McGlynn, while both Collin Smith and Nate Silveira were out of contract. Defender Morris Duggan (New York City FC) and midfielder Jack Panayoutu (New England Revolution) return to their clubs following the conclusion of their loan agreements.