Memphis 901 FC announced on Monday their first roster moves following the conclusion of the 2023 USL season.
“We have a very talented group of players on this roster who have shown that they can make a difference on the field and compete at the top end of the table,” Assistant Sporting Director Caleb Patterson-Sewell said in the press release. “We are excited to welcome this group back for the 2024 season and look forward to starting preseason in early January. We want to thank the departing players for their contributions to the club and we look forward to announcing our new signings in the near future.”
Last season Memphis 901 FC advanced to the Round of 32 in the US Open Cup and then finished 4th in the Eastern Conference of the USL Championship. That 4th Place finish booked them their playoff ticket for the third straight season but unfortunately the season came to an end at home on penalties against Louisville City in the first round of the playoffs.
Ten of the players from last year’s team will be back next year. Per the team’s release the following four players are already under contract for 2024: Nighte Pickering, Luiz Fernando, Samuel Careaga, and Lucas Turci. Second year options were also exercised on the following six players: Emerson Hyndamn, Bruno Lapa, Carson Vom Steeg, Akeem Ward, Aren Seeger, and Dylan Borczak.
There are also currently on-going contract negotiations between the club and both Rashawn Dally and Leston Paul.
Only one player had his option declined (Jelani Peters) and Aiden McFadden saw his loan spell from Atlanta United come to an end.
Seven players from last season’s team are now out of contract, though there is still a possibility that some of them may be back. Those players are Graham Smith, Rece Buckmaster, Aaron Molloy, Jeremy Kelly, Drew Romig, Laurent Kissiedou (who had already posted on his social media account that this was his last season with the team), and Rodrigo Da Costa.
Per the team’s press release news regarding new signings will be announced in the near future. Preseason camp is slated to open on January 15, 2024.