HUNTSVILLE – The first-year Huntsville City Football Club has signed its first player.
The club announced today Isaiah Johnston, a 20-year-old midfielder, will join HCFC in its inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season. HCFC launches next spring and will play its home games in a renovated Joe Davis Stadium.
A highly regarded prospect in Canada, Johnston has played the past three seasons for his hometown club York United FC in the Canadian Premier League.
“Isaiah is a talented young midfielder who has the qualities we look for in a potential first team player for Nashville SC,” said Mike Jacobs, general manager of Nashville SC and its affiliates, including Huntsville City FC. “In many ways, he embodies the project behind Huntsville City FC as a talented prospect who has the potential to influence winning, and will continue to grow and make strides in MLS NEXT Pro with HCFC.”
As an affiliate of Major League Soccer club Nashville SC, HCFC players may see an opportunity to move to the parent club throughout the season.
“I’m so excited to be joining the first professional football club in the beautiful city of Huntsville, Alabama,” said Johnston, who turned 20 last Friday. “Being the first signing in club history means everything to me, as the club has showed faith in my abilities as a footballer and I will give everything to keep that faith in them and for the fans of Huntsville. Thank you for all the support we have already received.
“I can’t wait to get started and play in front of all our Huntsville City FC enthusiasts!”
The contract is pending league and U.S. Soccer Federation approval as well as the receipt of his ITC and work authorization. Financial terms will not be disclosed, the club said.
In 2021, Johnston led York United FC to the playoffs which earned him the honors of appearing as one of the CPL’s Next Gen stars, an award that celebrates the best of young Canadian talent.
Prior to joining the Toronto-based club as a 2019 CPL-U SPORTS Draft pick, Johnston spent his freshman year at Cape Breton University where he won the Atlantic University Sport Rookie of the Year Award after claiming the national bronze medal.
Huntsville City FC make their MLS NEXT Pro debut next spring. Season ticket memberships are available at https://am.ticketmaster.com/huntsvillenextpro/buy.
For more information on Huntsville City FC, visit HuntsvilleCityFC.com, download and select the Huntsville City FC persona on the club’s app in Apple or Android, and follow it on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
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