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NCFC Acquires Playmaker Speas from Indy

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 01/24/19, 12:52PM EST

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Season-long loan agreement brings former Tar Heels standout back to North Carolina

CARY, N.C. – The last time Ben Speas suited up for a side in North Carolina, he helped lead the University of North Carolina to the College Cup as the championship weekend’s Most Valuable Player.

On Thursday, the 28-year-old midfielder returned to the Tar Heel state as the latest acquisition by North Carolina FC, joining Head Coach Dave Sarachan’s squad on a season-long loan from fellow USL Championship side Indy Eleven, pending leading and federation approval.

“I’m very excited to be coming back to the triangle area and playing for such a great club,” said Speas. “It is such an exciting time to be a part of NCFC and I feel honored to be joining. I’m really looking forward to working with such an established coach in Dave Sarachan and the rest of the staff. I can’t wait to get started and to play in front of one of the best supporters’ groups in the USL – the Oak City Supporters!”

Speas brings the experience of more than 100 professional appearances in the top two divisions of the North American pro soccer landscape, having originally signed as a Homegrown Player with Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew SC in 2012. Speas played with the Crew until 2015, amassing nearly 3,000 minutes in all competitions.

Speas then joined Minnesota United FC in 2016 where he scored four goals and added three assists in his only year with the franchise. In 2017, he joined Indy Eleven. Over the past two seasons, Speas has scored seven goals and recorded seven assists while seeing more than 3,000 minutes of action.

“I’m excited to add Ben to our roster,” said Sarachan. “He is an experienced player and will add much needed veteran leadership and quality to our team. Ben has the ability to make plays in the final third and can play a number of attacking positions.”

Prior to signing with the Crew, the Stow, Ohio, native helped lead UNC to the NCAA College Cup Championship in 2011, which stood as his second consecutive year in claiming the championship. Prior to his time in Chapel Hill, Speas spent two seasons at Akron, where his team won the College Cup in 2010 and finished as the national runner-up in 2009.

Last season, Speas made 23 regular-season appearance as the Eleven reached the USL Cup Playoffs in its first season in the Championship.

“Ben has been an important player for Indy Eleven and I want to thank him for his contribution to our club,” said Martin Rennie, Indy Eleven head coach. “He has an excellent opportunity in front of him. I am sure his character and talent will make an impact in Cary, North Carolina.”

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