CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Chattanooga Red Wolves SC announced on Wednesday the club had exercised its contract options on defender Daniel Navarro and midfielder Jimmie Villalobos ahead of the 2022 USL League One season. Both players recorded more than 1,900 minutes of action this past season as they prepare for their second campaigns with the Red Wolves.

Navarro served as the anchor of the Red Wolves’ back line and made 24 appearances while totaling 2,125 minutes of action. Making the lives of opposing attacks difficult, Navarro won 16 tackles and recorded 50 clearances, 10 blocks, and 42 interceptions. The Massachusetts native also completed 1,389 passes, sixth-most league wide, posting an 85.5 percent accuracy rate.

“Last season was amazing! The fans and the atmosphere created in our stadium pushed us to win and to break records,” said Daniel Navarro. “With all of that, I am pretty sure in 2022 we're going to be able to do even bigger things, entertain the fans with quality soccer, win games, and hopefully become USL League One champions!”

“Daniel was an important piece to the defensive success we had last season,” said Red Wolves Head Coach, Jimmy Obleda. “When he was on the field, we didn’t only have a great defender but someone that gave us the football we needed to start playing. When he went down with an injury in the middle of the season, we lost more than a defender, we lost a leader and player with a great presence. Having him back for this next season is huge because it allows us to have one of the best center backs in the league with us. I am looking forward to having him anchoring our back line for the 2022 season.”

Villalobos solidified himself as a key player in midfield for the Red Wolves. The 26-year-old made 27 appearances last season, playing a total of 1,992 minutes. Villalobos scored two goals, had one assist, four successful crosses and 21 key passes while completing 574 passes. Defensively, Villalobos won 18 tackles, cleared the ball 15 times, blocked 2 shots, and intercepted 17 passes.

“My goal is to win a championship and give the fans what they have been waiting for back to Chattanooga,” said Villalobos. “I hope to accomplish a good chemistry and relationship with the team that’s coming back. A good culture is always important and that’s one of my main objectives towards this 2022 season.

“My first year with the club was amazing just by hearing the fans at CHI Memorial Stadium on game days. It was a great atmosphere and a professional environment where I felt like home.”