RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers announced on Friday the club had signed Virginia Commonwealth University midfielder Eli Lockaby for the 2019 USL League One season, pending league and federation approval. 

“Eli is a player that I’ve been very interested in for quite some time and got to watch a lot of him in his senior season at VCU,” said Kickers Head Coach David Bulow. "He has the potential to be one of the best young players in all of USL League One and I can’t wait to start working with him.”

Lockaby is coming off a four-year career at VCU, where he made 73 appearances for the Rams (62 starts) and helped the team claim the Atlantic 10 regular season title his senior season. He recorded two goals and 12 assists in his collegiate career and was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Academic team in both his junior and senior seasons. Lockaby also played with the Orlando City U23s and the Des Moines Menace in USL League Two.  

“I am truly thrilled to begin my professional career with the Kickers,” said Lockaby. “I would like to thank my family, friends and teammates for their continuous support and encouragement over the years. I would also like to thank Coach Giffard and VCU soccer for allowing me the opportunity to continue playing the beautiful game while earning my degree. Richmond has been my home the past four years and I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of the Richmond Kickers organization. I hope the Red Army is ready because it’s going to be an incredible year in RVA and I can’t wait to get right to work!”

Growing up in Orlando, Florida, Lockaby played for the Orlando City SC U-18s and was named to the 2013 All-Central Florida First Team prior to attending VCU. 

“It’s awesome to get a quality player like Eli from VCU, an excellent NCAA Division I program and a University that is an important partner on several levels,” said Kickers President Matt Spear. “I am familiar with Eli as a very successful and talented full back on the Rams’ A-10 regular season champion squad.”

The Kickers’ roster now stands at seven members for the 2019 season, with Lockaby joining defenders Scott Thomsen and Braeden Troyer, midfielders Amass Amankona, Matt Bolduc and Josh Hughes and forward Dennis Chin.