CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Chattanooga Red Wolves SC announced on Thursday the club had exercised its contract option on forward Juan Galindrez for the 2022 USL League One season, retaining its leading scorer from the past campaign. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

Galindrez recorded 11 goals across the regular season and playoffs to finish tied for fifth in the league and made a name for himself at CHI Memorial Stadium with dramatic last-minute goals. The 27-year-old Colombian made a total of 29 appearances and a total of 1,316 minutes played, and scored the decisive goal in his side’s 2-1 victory against North Texas SC in the Quarterfinals of the 2021 USL League One Playoffs, presented by TwinSpires, which served as the club’s first postseason win.

“My goals for this season are to be the top scorer of the team and the league. I hope that with the team we can accomplish the ultimate goal of winning the championship,” said Galindrez. “We set a high bar last season and I hope everyone is ready to surpass it.

“It was a magnificent season that was just short of the ultimate glory. That doesn’t take away from our incredible 15-game unbeaten streak, reaching the playoff semifinal, and always fighting with heart and determination to walk away with a win for all of the people that supported us along the way.”

Galindrez joined the Red Wolves having previously competed professionally both in Mexico, including for second-tier club Dorados de Sinaloa, and in his native Colombia. This past season he averaged a goal every 119.5 minutes while also notching one assist, five key passes, and 23 shots on target.

“Juan Galindrez brings goals, he brings goals to the team. He brought the goals that were significant this last year and allowed us to be where we finished the season. He’s a guy that’s very exciting, athletic, strong, and dynamic for his positioning. He’s very good inside the box. We hope that this year he will be even better,” said Red Wolves Head Coach, Jimmy Obelda. “After a year with us and USL League One we hope that he will be more comfortable. What we’re expecting out of him is double the goals he had last year and the top-scoring title because he’s that kind of player.

“He's a great guy to have in the locker room, a value that was very important to us as we were building the team. On and off the field he has been top class for us and we’re looking forward to that in 2022; that he brings the same energy, personality and smile that he always does and double the goals he made this previous season.”