STATESBORO, Ga. – South Georgia Tormenta FC announced Monday that the club signed attacking midfielder Adrian Billhardt to its 2021 USL League One roster, pending league and federation approval.

The Berlin, Germany, native returns to the club on a one-year deal with an option after a standout season with Tormenta FC 2 in 2019, when he was named to the USL League Two Team of the Year, as well as the All-Southern Conference Team.

"Adrian has been a standout performer for our USL League Two team and trained at a very high level with us last summer,” Tormenta FC Head Coach Ian Cameron said. “We need to be patient with all players fresh out of college. Beyond the normal transition into a new environment, these guys have played minimal competitive soccer for over a year.

“Adrian Billhardt, in full flow, will add an extra dimension to our attack and can light up a soccer game. The boy has a bright future, and we're excited to provide him the platform he deserves."

After his successful 2019 season with Tormenta FC 2, Billhardt was recognized as Honorable Mention by Top Drawer Soccer as one of the best upcoming midfielders in the United States.

The attacking midfielder is tied for fourth in the club records for goals scored with 11. Billhardt also recorded three assists and 20 shots in his 15 matches with the club, leading Tormenta 2 to its second Deep South Division title and first Southern Conference title.

The German midfielder graduated from the University of South Florida in December 2020 with a degree in Business Management. Billhardt gathered an array of accolades with the South Florida Bulls, leading the team in 2019 with six goals, 13 points and 37 shots.  

Back home in Germany, Billhardt gained amateur experience in the U17 Bundesliga and with Berlin-Liga in the fourth German Division (Regionalliga).

Led by Head Coach Tom Morris, Tormenta FC 2 is the club’s pre-professional team that seeks to play an exciting brand of soccer featuring elite local, national and international players. Since beginning play in 2015, TFC 2 has helped nearly 50 players achieve their professional dreams.