RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce the signing of Richmond United midfielder Ty Johnson to a USL Academy contract, pending league and federation approval.
“We are excited for Ty to have this opportunity with the Richmond Kickers pro team,” Chief Sporting Officer and Head Coach Darren Sawatzky said. “He had an excellent year with Richmond United and he has come in and trained hard with us.”
Johnson (17), a rising senior at Matoaca High School, is already committed to join Head Coach Carlos Somoano’s squad at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in Fall 2022.
“It’s been an amazing experience to get in with the Kickers’ pro team and being able to see what the next level is like and get a taste of it and a feel for it,” Johnson said. “It’s very exciting to have the opportunity to sign and to play with them and be a part of the team.”
The midfielder has been a member of the Richmond United academy since U14 after a stint with Richmond Strikers at the U13 level. The Chesterfield native previously played soccer with Chesterfield United until U12.
“We are so happy for Ty to become the second Academy signing this season,” ECNL Director Sascha Görres said. “His development this season alone has been incredible. Every day he brings 100 percent to whatever he does and never ever makes an excuse. He earned this opportunity and we know he will represent Richmond well.“
An intelligent midfielder capable of cycling play out wide when on the ball or making penetrating forward runs off the ball, Johnson thrives in the number 10 role and has trained with the Kickers’ first team since the beginning of the summer.
“Ty is a competitor and is very coachable,” Sawatzky said. “He trained himself into this opportunity and we expect him to compete for game opportunities as he grows.
“He has handled the time he has been with the pro team with great character and a humble approach. This fits into the type of player we want with the Kickers.”
The Kickers return to action, Friday afternoon, at BMO Training Ground when they face Toronto FC II for the first time in Canada since the 2019 season. Kickoff is slated for 4:00 p.m. The match will air live on WTVR CBS 6.3 (Comcast 206, Verizon FiOS 466), streamed on ESPN+, and broadcasted on the radio in Spanish on WULT 94.1 FM and 1540 AM.
TRANSACTION: Richmond Kickers have signed midfielder Ty Johnson to a USL Academy contract for the 2021 USL League One season on August 5, 2021.
