Wilmington Hammerheads FC News Release - www.wilmingtonhammerheads.com

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

WILMINGTON, N.C. – Wilmington Hammerheads FC officially announced today the addition of Spanish defender Fran Martinez, pictured left, to their 2015 USL roster, pending receipt of his visa.

The left-footed center back spent preseason with the club’s Major League Soccer affiliate New York City FC following his time with Real Murcia, a Spanish club of the Second Division B.

“At 19-years-old, Fran Martinez is another representation of a shift within our club towards the development of players and helping them reach success both within our club and beyond,” said Wilmington Hammerheads FC Technical Director and Head Coach Carson Porter. “He is young and has a lot to learn, but we are very confident that our culture, our style of play, and the experiences he will gain here will help both our club and his personal development.”

Martinez has been signed to a professional contract and began training with the club last week in preparation for Sunday’s match against the Charleston Battery at Legion Stadium.

“It is our job as a club to take care of our players and put them in the best position to reach success both on and off the field,” said Porter. “Fran [Martinez] is no different. He has begun English classes at the University of North Carolina Wilmington made possible by Hammerheads Youth FC Board Member and UNCW Spanish Professor, Emmanuel Harris and his colleague, David Mesa-Munoz. We hope our community continues to embrace our players who add diversity and culture to our city.”

The Hammerheads are set to host the Charleston Battery on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. ET at Legion Stadium. Ticket packages and single tickets are now available for purchase online.

For more information regarding Wilmington Hammerheads FC, please contact (910) 777-2111 or visitwww.wilmingtonhammerheads.com.