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Indy Eleven

Midfield Bolstered with Newcomer Craig Henderson, Returnee Daniel Keller

February 15, 2017 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Indy Eleven News Release


INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday) - Indy Eleven began its preseason in earnest today at Westfield's Grand Park with two more midfielders in tow after the signings of Daniel Keller and Craig Henderson. Per club policy, terms of the contracts will not be disclosed.

Keller marks the 13th member from last year's successful Indy Eleven side to return to the Boys in Blue. The Carmel native logged 531 minutes in nine games (five starts) across NASL regular season and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup action during his second season with his hometown side in 2016. The versatile 25-year-old also made 15 appearances in NASL action during his rookie season in 2015 across the backline and at his usual defensive midfield position.

"We had such a successful campaign last season and came up just a little bit short, so I'm looking forward to working with this group to get back to the Final," said Keller. "I'm more comfortable heading into this preseason just knowing how everyone plays and knowing Coach [Tim] Hankinson's style, so it's exciting to get back to work."

Henderson is making his return to the United States, where he attended Dartmouth University from 2006-09, including an All-Ivy League performance in 2008. Before heading to the Hoosier State the 29-year-old midfielder had spent his entire professional career in Scandinavia, most recently with Swedish second division (Superettan) squad GAIS in 2016 (19 games). He also crossed paths with ex-U.S. Men's National Team head coach Bob Bradley while in Norway with first division (Eliteserien) squad Stabaek in 2014. In all, Henderson has bagged nine goals in his 69 first team appearances in Sweden (GAIS and Mjallby AIF) and Norway (Stabaek and Mjondalen IF) since 2012.

Additionally, Henderson represented his native New Zealand at all age groups, including earning two senior "caps" in 2013 - one coming against Mexico in a World Cup Qualifier "playoff" match - and appearances in all three of the Kiwi U-23's games in the 2008 Beijing Olympics

"It was time to come back to the U.S. and try a new environment, and I'm very glad that Indy Eleven presented itself as an option," said Henderson. "This is a group of experienced guys that seem to be a real tight-knit unit and enjoyed a lot of success last year, so I'm happy to be part of a squad with some momentum and a lot of good things to look forward to."

Visit IndyEleven.com/roster to keep tabs on Indy Eleven's roster, which now stands at 16 players, during the build-up to the team's fourth season of NASL play in 2017.

Indy Eleven will begin the 2017 NASL season on the road on Saturday, March 25, before opening its 16-game regular season home schedule at IUPUI's Carroll Stadium on Saturday, April 1. Season Ticket packages featuring up to 48% off single-game prices are currently available; for details, visit www.CueTheSmoke.com.

www.IndyEleven.com / @IndyEleven on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram

About Indy Eleven Professional Soccer

Since its launch in 2013, Indy Eleven's mission - "To win championships with and for the community" - has stayed true to its aim of fielding a team that represents the State of Indiana proudly on and off the field. The upcoming 2017 season will mark the fourth year of play for Indy Eleven in the North American Soccer League (NASL), a professional soccer league based in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. On January 31, 2017, Indy Eleven submitted a bid for an expansion franchise in Major League Soccer (MLS), the First Division of pro soccer in the United States and Canada as recognized by U.S. Soccer.

After leading the NASL in attendance in each of its first two seasons at IUPUI's Michael A. Carroll Stadium in downtown Indianapolis, Indy Eleven's remarkable 2016 campaign included winning the NASL Spring Season title and earning its first postseason appearance, ending in The Championship Final.

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