skip navigation

Albanian Taku Heads to Independence

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 02/20/19, 1:29PM EST

Share

Rowdies add former League Two All-Conference pick; ATL UTD 2 brings aboard Furman standout


New Charlotte Independence midfielder Afrim Taku arrived in the USL Championship last season with the Tampa Bay Rowdies from his native Albania. | Photo courtesy Matt May / Tampa Bay Rowdies

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte Independence announced on Wednesday it had signed Albanian international midfielder Afrim Taku, pending league and federation approval. The 29-year-old has played most of his career in the Albanian SuperLiga for KF Tirana and Skënderbeu, the two biggest clubs in Albania.

“I'm very happy to be in Charlotte and with this team,” said Taku. “I'm looking forward to a good season and helping the team to many wins. I want to thank everyone who's been so welcoming.”

Most recently, Taku was a 2018 mid-season addition for fellow USL Championship side the Tampa Bay Rowdies, where he started 13 games, added one assist and logged 30 key passes. Prior to coming overseas, Taku played for Skënderbeu Korçë in his native Albania. His 11-year professional career includes three Albanian Cup Championships and two Albanian Supercups Championships.

“We're fortunate to have a flexible player like Afrim,” said Independence Head Coach Jim McGuinness. “We see him as a versatile player who can, not only play in the middle of the park, but certainly on the wing, as well. That's where most of his goal-scoring exploits have come from, but he's played loads of football in many roles.”

ROWDIES ADD LEAGUE TWO STANDOUT: The Tampa Bay Rowdies added forward Juan Tejada to their 2019 USL Championship roster, after a series of impressive performances this preseason by the former USL League Two player.

Tejada scored seven goals in 11 matches for the Lakeland Tropics in League Two last season to earn All-Southern Conference honors. The 22-year-old has been training and playing with the Rowdies as a trialist this preseason and turned heads in Saturday night’s match against D.C. United for his energy levels, speed and fearlessness. He was also one of two trialists to score in the Rowdies’ 4-2 win against the University of Central Florida on February 9.

“Juan is a great example of the youthfulness and energy we want to instill at the Rowdies,” Rowdies Head Coach Neill Collins said. “He’s been around our team for a while now and has impressed us from the start. We’re excited to work with him and help him fulfill his potential. We see Juan as very much one for the future but if he continues on his same path as preseason, he could force his way in even earlier.”

Originally born in Panama, Tejada has been in the Tampa Bay area for a long time. He played high school soccer at IMG Academy and then attended Eckerd College in St. Petersburg. In four seasons with the Tritons, Tejada scored 23 goals and added 12 assists.

FORMER PALLADIN JOINS ATL UTD 2: Midfielder Laurence Wyke was announced as the latest addition to ATL UTD 2’s squad on Wednesday as the former Furman University player joined the club pending league and federation approval.

“Laurence is a great addition to our team,” said ATL UTD 2 Head Coach Stephen Glass. “He assembled a very successful collegiate career, and now we look forward him taking the next step at the professional level.”

Wyke, 22, played two seasons at Furman where he was a two-time All-Southern Conference selection. In 2018, he led the Paladins to a 13-7-2 record and won the SoCon Championship where he assisted the game-winning goal and was named tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. Furman then earned a berth in the NCAA Tournament where it advanced to the Second Round.

The Bolton, England native was named the 2017 SoCon Player of the Year his junior season after leading Furman and ranking second in the SoCon with nine goals while totaling four assists and ranking second in the league with 22 total points. 

Follow the USL Championship

Most Recent News

Most Read News

Latest Videos