STATESBORO, Ga. – South Georgia Tormenta FC announced on Wednsday it had signed defender Joshua Phelps to a new two-year contract, pending league and federation approval. The Tormenta FC center back will return this season for his sixth with the club and fourth as a professional.

Phelps first competed for the organization in USL League Two in 2017 and in September 2018 made history as he became the first signing of Tormenta FC professional era, as well as the first player to be signed in the newly-formed USL League One. Now looking ahead to his sixth season at the club, Phelps knows the importance of obtaining a winning season at Tormenta FC.

“The middle third of the 2021 season was by far our club's most promising period, and there's no coincidence that this coincided with Josh being at the heart of the back line,” TFC Head Coach Ian Cameron said. “We strongly feel Josh can improve as a player and with a full preseason with the staff, we're excited to help him reach his potential. His athletic qualities enable us to play in the image of our soccer philosophy, and he remains integral to our quest of bringing a championship to Statesboro."

In the 2021 USL League One season, Phelps appeared in 18 games, 17 of those as a starter, and contributed one goal on the season and played 1,500 minutes. Throughout his tenure at Tormenta FC, the Australian has proven to be a versatile player; Phelps, although a center back, has played as a striker on occasions when needed. In addition, Phelps has appeared four times in the USL League One Team of the Week since arriving at the club.

“Statesboro has become my home away from home, and I have unfinished business in the 912,” Phelps said. “We are building something very special at Tormenta, and I am here to create a unique history and leave a legacy at Tormenta.”

Tormenta FC is set to play at its new state-of-the-art stadium Optim Health System Field in Statesboro in the 2022 League One season, which will also serve as the home to its USL W League team, USL League Two squad, and Georgia Southern University Men’s and Women’s NCAA Division I soccer teams.