SPOKANE, Wash. – Spokane Velocity FC today announced the addition of midfielder Collin Fernandez and defender Marcelo Lage, pending league and federation approval.

After developing in the Chicago Fire FC youth system between 2010 and 2015, Fernandez was signed as a Homegrown Player by the Fire in 2014. After stints with the Chicago Fire Reserves and Louisville City FC on loan, Fernandez made his first-team debut with the Fire in July 2015. Fernandez was loaned from the Fire to USL Championship sides Saint Louis FC and FC Tulsa in 2016 and 2017, respectively. The midfielder totaled three Major League Soccer appearances with the Fire.

Between 2018 and 2023, Fernandez spent time with various second and third-division sides including Phoenix Rising FC (2018-19), Saint Louis FC (2019), Tacoma Defiance (2020), Austin Bold FC (2021), Sporting Kansas City II (2022), and FC Tulsa (2023). In total, the midfielder has accounted for 177 professional appearances and 23 goal contributions.

At the international level, Fernandez represented the United States U-18 and U-20 Youth National Teams and the Peru U-20 youth national team on 14 occasions between 2014 and 2016.

"Collin brings a wealth of experience ranging from MLS to USL Championship that will be pivotal for us both on and off the field," said Spokane Head Coach Veidman. "On the football side, he is a very good footballer but brings a robustness in central midfield that is imperative to being successful in the USL."

Defender Marcelo Lage signed his first professional contract in 2023 with USL Championship side Las Vegas Lights FC. Before that, Lage played collegiately at George Washington University (2018), Coastal Carolina University (2019-21) and Hofstra University (2022) and earned multiple all-conference honors across his pre-professional career.

For the Lights, he was among the team leaders in goals, with four in 25 appearances and 18 starts. He was named the club's player of the month for September.

"Although Marcelo was new to the USL Championship last year, he showed his value and quality in the 1,900-plus minutes he played at Las Vegas," said Veidman. "His stature defensively, physical presence, and ability on the ball are all key qualities that attracted us to Marcelo and we are excited to have him."