SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sacramento Republic FC announced on Wednesday the club had signed defender Freddy Kleemann ahead of the 2025 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

Kleeman has spent the last two seasons with fellow USL Championship club the Tampa Bay Rowdies, originally joining the Eastern Conference side in 2023 to play for current Republic FC Head Coach Neill Collins.

With Tampa Bay, Kleeman recorded 4,208 minutes in 58 appearances, and was an anchor for the team’s backline, posting 181 clearances, 38 blocks, 48 interceptions, and 39 tackles won. In that time frame, he was dominant in the air, ranking seventh among league defenders with 155 aerial duels won.

“Freddy is a proven commodity in our league and has logged impressive minutes the past two seasons,” said Republic FC President and General Manager Todd Dunivant. “He brings a physical presence to our backline and fits with our style to win the ball back as quickly as possible.”

A native of Newbury Park, Calif., Kleemann entered the professional ranks after being selected 11th overall in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft by Austin FC. He signed his first professional contract with the club for its inaugural season before making three appearances. He also spent time in USL Championship on loan for Birmingham Legion in 2021 and 2022, where he made four appearances and recorded 15 clearances.

Kleemann had previously a standout collegiate career at the University of Washington. In his senior year, he appeared in every match en route to winning the 2019 Pac-12 Championship, while also earning conference academic honors. In 2018, Kleeman and the Huskies represented the United States in the FISU (International University Sports Federation) America Games in Brazil and brought home the gold medal.