RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers today announced that veteran midfielder and former Roo Matt Bolduc has returned to City Stadium for his ninth professional season.

"You are not going to find a more loyal player that bleeds Kickers Red than Matt Bolduc," Kickers Chief Sporting Officer and Head Coach Darren Sawatzky said. "When I arrived in Richmond, Matt was a terror down the right side for opposing defenses and he has played a lot of games for this storied club. We are elated that he is back with us. Matt has grown as a player and ambassador and watching him link up with our attacking core this preseason gives us promise in a multifaceted attack."

One of just 15 players in Richmond's modern era to represent the Kickers over 100 times, club legend Matt Bolduc was a steady fixture in the River City from 2017-22. Serving as a consistent presence across the pitch for the Roos, the veteran made 29 appearances in 2021 which tied for a team high — starting in 22 of them, and then, in 2022, helped lead the squad to a USL League One Players' Shield.

A favorite among the River City Red Army supporters' group, Bolduc is known for his reliability on the pitch in RVA. His speed and quickness both in and out of possession make him well-suited for Sawatzky's trademark "heavy metal football." He is a pest in pressing opposing defenders and links up well with Emiliano Terzaghi - with five join goal participations - and other attackers in the Richmond frontline.

A tenacious attacker, Bolduc was a key piece of the Kickers' attacking threat through his original six seasons with the team and will look to contribute again in 2025. In 2021, he helped create 30 chances, scoring one goal and providing two assists.

After his time with the Kickers, Bolduc played for NISA's Flower City Union where he brought life to the young club and helped shape the attack, boosting Flower City's offense and scoring the match-winner in the 2023 NISA Championship.

A strong student of the game and always one to connect with the greater community, Bolduc also helped coach the club, serving as an assistant coach for their United Women's Soccer side Flower City 1872.

A Peterborough, N.H. native, Bolduc played collegiately at the University of Massachusetts Amherst before kicking off his professional career with former USL Championship side Penn FC in 2016.

"Over the moon to be back in Kickers red this season and I feel better than ever," Bolduc said. "Our goal is to represent the city and club the way history suggests it should be. I can't wait to celebrate wins at City Stadium with the best fans in America."