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Goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald Re-Signs with Richmond

By USLLeagueOne.com Staff, 12/11/20, 4:00PM EST

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Veteran set to take on coaching role while playing in 2021


The 2021 season will be Fitzgerald's third with the Kickers. (Photo courtesy of Chattanooga Red Wolves SC).

The Richmond Kickers have re-signed goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald ahead of the 2021 USL League One season, the club announced Friday. In addition to signing a new contract with the club, Fitzgerald will join the technical staff and assume the role of Goalkeeping Coach.  

"Akira was a great leader over this very different 2020 season," said Chief Sporting Officer and Head Coach Darren Sawatzky. "His leadership, work ethic, and his ability to make the saves needed for us at opportune times makes him a valuable piece to our team and to our club. He has earned the expanded role of player and goalkeeper coach as we build our team for 2021. We have no doubt that his future in the game involves influencing the next generation of goalkeepers in America, but we look forward to watching him man the net for us in 2021."

Fitzgerald enters his third season with the Kickers, after putting up strong numbers over the previous two seasons. The veteran goalkeeper started all 16 matches for the Kickers in 2020, posting three shutouts, and recording 50 saves -- tied for the highest in USL League One. He also recorded 16 clearances throughout the season. After his season-high eight save performance at South Georgia Tormenta FC early in the season, Fitzgerald was named to the League One Team of the Week.

“I’m so excited to be back for my third season with the Kickers,” said Fitzgerald. “Seeing the growth of the group this last season under Darren’s leadership made the decision to stay and fight for a championship that much easier. I’ve always felt so much love from our supporters and it will be an honor to represent them and their club on the field this upcoming season. Even in the most difficult of years they played an enormous part in making this past season so enjoyable and successful. I look forward to pushing even harder this year and lifting a trophy in front of them at the end of it.”

Fitzgerald appeared in 25 matches during his first season with the Kickers in 2019. He finished the season tied for the second-most clean sheets with eight and saves with 72. Fitzgerald’s strong first League One season earned him  2019 USL League One Goalkeeper of the Year nomination.

As Fitzgerald continues his storied veteran career between the sticks, he is also set to assume new responsibilities for the technical side in his second season under the direction of Sawatzky.

"Akira will take over for Adrian Clewlow, who worked with Akira over the past two seasons,” said Sawatzky. “We want to wish Clewie all success as he moves on to new opportunities. He has been and will always be part of the Kickers family."

Fitzgerald joins fellow returners Ian Antley and Emiliano Terzaghi on the Kickers’ current 2021 roster.


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