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Tampa Bay Rowdies bring back defender Thomas Vancaeyezeele

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 01/31/25, 11:00AM EST

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French Guiana joins side from Hartford Athletic, has recorded more than 150 appearances in league


The Tampa Bay Rowdies have signed defender Thomas Vancaeyezeele for a second stint at the club after the French Guiana international recorded 29 appearances for Hartford Athletic in the 2024 campaign. | Photo courtesy Axe Zito / Hartford Athletic

TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Rowdies announced on Friday the addition of veteran defender Thomas Vancaeyezeele for the 2025 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

This will be Vancaeyezeele’s second stint in Tampa Bay. The 30-year-old defender made eight appearances for the club in 2022 after joining via transfer midway through the season. Last season, Vancaeyezeele was a regular contributor for fellow USL Championship side Hartford Athletic, earning 29 appearances across all competitions, recording four assists and 16 chances created while winning 23 tackles at a 67.6 percent success rate and 31 interceptions.

“We’re delighted to add Thomas to our squad for the season,” said Rowdies Head Coach Robbie Neilson. “I remember him well from when we played Hartford last year. When looking at Thomas, we really liked how he’s shown the ability to play in multiple positions in the back. That versatility is a very valuable asset for any team to have when you look to build out a roster. You can already see in preseason that he brings quality to the group.”

A native of Arras, France, Vancaeyezeele has made 158 appearances in the USL Championship over his career since his debut for Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC in the 2018 season. The 30-year-old was twice voted to the USL Championship All-League First Team in 2018 and 2019 – helping the Hounds finish top of the Eastern Conference in the 2019 campaign – while logging 7,450 minutes in league play for the club.

Vancaeyezeele has since spent time with San Diego Loyal SC, Birmingham Legion FC, the Rowdies and Hartford. The past campaign with Athletic record his most minutes in a campaign since 2021 when he split time between San Diego and Birmingham.

“I’m happy and excited to be back in Tampa Bay,” said Vancaeyezeele. “I have a little bit of unfinished business because I picked up an injury early when I came here, and I didn’t have the chance to show my qualities. I know this year is going to be a good one for us. We obviously have our eyes on a championship and I’m excited to help achieve that.”

In addition to his club career, Vancaeyezeele has made 14 appearances for the French Guiana national team, competing for the country in both the Concacaf Gold Cup and Concacaf Nations League.

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