RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers announced Tuesday that the club has signed defender Esteban Calvo for the 2021 USL League One season, pending league and federation approval.

"We are always looking to improve our club with good people and quality players," said Kickers Head Coach and Chief Sporting Officer Darren Sawatzky. "Esteban represents a young outside back with the ability to get forward and he is not afraid to mix it up within a game. We see him having an immediate impact in the way we want to play while bringing his personality to a competitive locker room."

Joining the Kickers from FC Tucson, Calvo played in 14 matches in the 2020 USL League One season, starting in all but one of those games. A vital piece in the Tucson backline, Calvo ranked high in several important defensive categories for the Arizona club: he was first on the team in tackles (34) and tackles won (16), second in interceptions (25) and third in clearances (27), blocks (6) and duels won (79).

Known for his all-around qualities, Calvo is also a strong distributor of the ball, with an 87 percent completion rate of his passes in 2020.

"It feels like a new opportunity," said Calvo. "I am excited to start up a new season in a new team in which I have big expectations based on last year's results. Darren called me and he was very straight forward about his plans for the team, and I feel we had a connection in the way he wants to play and the way I like to play.

"I’ve heard a lot about him from my college coaches, and I know for a fact he is a great coach and that makes me feel more comfortable. I feel we both can help each other a lot, that’s what I am striving for and I am eager to start."

A native of Escazu, Costa Rica, Calvo played high school soccer at Montverde Academy in Montverde, Fla., contributing to the school's 154-match unbeaten streak, and won two national championships. In 2016, Calvo was named both Gatorade Player of the Year in Florida and the USA Today All-USA Player of the Year. He played his first two years of NCAA Division I soccer at Florida International University before transferring to Coach Sawatzky’s alma mater, the University of Portland.

“I want to be the best version of me,” said Calvo. “Trying to get better to beat myself everyday and being able to help the team in every aspect I can. I know Darren wants me to play in a certain position, but if he needs me somewhere else, I will do the best I can to help there as well.

"As a team, I definitely want to get to the playoffs. I know we have to do it game by game, but I have high expectations and winning the championship would always be the best result we could aim for. That is always a possibility if we play as a team and have a good culture."