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Foxes Sign Lawal After Successful Trial

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 01/23/19, 1:03PM EST

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North Carolina brings aboard Kristo, Mehl; Hartford signs Due, Gentile


Former Sounders FC 2 forward Qudus Lawal has joined Fresno FC for the new USL Championship season. | Photo courtesy Charis Wilson / Seattle Sounders FC 2

FRESNO, Calif. – Fresno FC announced on Wednesday it had signed forward Qudus Lawal for the 2019 USL Championship season, pending league and federation approval. Lawal, 23, joins the Foxes after spending part of last season on trial with the club. He scored the only goal in the Foxes’ 1-1 draw against Liga MX side Club Leon on November 14 in an international exhibition at Chukchansi Park.

“This is a big signing for us,” said Foxes Head Coach Adam Smith. “Qudus impressed us while he was a trialist. He is strong, fast and very athletic, and we are excited to add a different attacking option to our forward arsenal.”

A native of Nigeria, Lawal came to the United States as a teenager, and in his first year he led Chicago’s Mather High School to a Class 2A State Championship in 2011. He then joined the Chicago Fire Academy, playing for the club’s USL League Two side before earning his first professional contract with the USL Championship’s Seattle Sounders FC 2 in 2015. He scored two goals in his first professional start and finished with 10 appearances that season for S2. Lawal was then traded to then-Championship club Wilmington Hammerheads FC, where he made 37 appearances and scored three goals over three seasons at the USL level.

NCFC MAKES PAIR OF ADDITIONS: North Carolina FC announced two new arrivals with the signings of forward Robert Kristo and defender Timmy Mehl for the new season. Both moves are pending league and federation approval, while the club is also waiting for the receipt of Kristo’s International Transfer Certificate.

Kristo has spent the past three years abroad, playing for teams in Italy and Germany after a stellar collegiate career at Saint Louis University, where he was a three-time All-America selection and scored 41 goals in 71 appearances. The 25-year-old most recently spent two seasons with German 3. Liga side VFL Osnabrück, playing 700 minutes while primarily being relied on as a substitute. Prior to his stint in Germany, Kristo played for Italian sides Tuttocuoio and Fidelis Andria in Serie C from 2015-2016, while on loan from Serie B side Spezia.

“Robert is a striker that offers a physical presence along with mobility and technical skill,” said North Carolina FC Head Coach Dave Sarachan. “Outstanding in the air, Robert will provide an important dimension in our attack as a target striker.”

Mehl joins the club after a standout college career at Indiana University where he competed alongside fellow NCFC newcomer Austin Panchot. The center back made 72 appearances, scored six goals and added four assists. He was also a two-time All-Big Ten selection and helped lead his team to the NCAA College Cup last season. Mehl was part of an Indiana defensive unit that led the NCAA with 15 shutouts and only allowed 13 goals all season.

“Timmy comes from an outstanding collegiate program that had great success this season,” said Sarachan. “He played a huge role in their back line and will provide us another center back option. He is comfortable on the ball and playing out of the back under pressure, which will be important in our way of playing.”

DUE, GENTILE LINK UP WITH HARTFORD: Goalkeeper Frederik Due and forward Giussi Gentile were unveiled as the newest additions to Hartford Athletic’s squad for the club’s inaugural season in the USL Championship on Wednesday, with Due becoming the first goalkeeping to join Head Coach Jimmy Nielsen’s squad.

A native of Køge, Denmark, the 26-year-old Due spent five seasons with HB Køge in the Danish First Division before joining Randers of the Danish SuperLiga in 2016. He has made more than 125 professional appearances in his career, recording 37 shutouts in that span.

“Frederik is a top-quality goalkeeper who played at the highest levels in Denmark,” said Nielsen. “He has great reflexes and is an important addition to our club.” 

Gentile most recently played for the Richmond Kickers in the 2018 USL Championship season where he two goals in 16 appearances for the club. Gentile was drafted by Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire, but has spent the majority of his career in the lower divisions. Gentile had a career season in 2017 for Puerto Rico FC when he scored nine goals in 27 appearances.

“Giuseppe is a very experienced USL player who will be important both on the field and in our locker room,” said Nielsen. “Having this kind of depth at forward is going to give our club a great advantage.”

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