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NASL Indy Eleven

Indy Eleven Adds Experience to Roster in Eamon Zayed and Neil Shaffer

December 23, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Indy Eleven News Release


INDIANAPOLIS - The roster building process for Indy Eleven continued today with the signings of a pair of veteran players, forward Eamon Zayed and defender Neil Shaffer. Per club policy, contract terms will not be announced.

The Irish-born Zayed becomes the first international signing of the offseason for Indy Eleven, filling one of seven available international player slots available for 2016. Meanwhile, native Pennsylvanian Shaffer comes to Indy Eleven after six years of play across the USL PRO and USL PDL (Premier Development League) leagues.

"With Eamon and Neil we bring on two players with vastly different experiences across the globe and in the American game," said Indy Eleven president and general manager Peter Wilt. "Both will be hungry to prove themselves at the NASL level and add quality, depth and character to our roster."

The well-traveled Zayed comes to Indianapolis boasting senior national team experience with the Libyan National Team (one goal in eight "caps") and youth international experience with the Republic of Ireland (12 games) as part of his 14 years of professional play. The 32-year-old forward has racked up more than 150 goals in over 300 first team appearances across play in Ireland, Iran and, most recently, Malaysia for first division side Sabah FA.

After honing his skills in the youth academy of English side Leicester City, Zayed began his professional career with a four-year run with Irish squad Bray Wanderers AFC, during which he bagged 54 goals in 105 matches. At the top of his numerous accolades collected during his travels across the globe is the 2011 League of Ireland Premier Division's Player of the Year Award, earned after scoring 23 goals for Derry City FC. Zayed also scored three times for Ireland's Drogheda United in UEFA Cup action during a two-year stint from 2006-08.

The 26-year-old Shaffer joins Indy Eleven after two seasons of play with the USL's Harrisburg City Islanders, during which he helped the former affiliate side of Major League Soccer's Philadelphia Union to the 2014 USL Championship final against Sacramento FC and logged more than 2,400 minutes of action while serving as team captain last season. Outside of the 2013 campaign with the PDL's Kitsap (Wash.) Pumas, the native of Aliquippa, Penn., has spent all of his career in the Keystone State, playing collegiately at Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh and also suiting up for a season of PDL play with the Erie Admirals before signing his first pro contract with the USL's Pittsburgh Riverhounds in 2011.

"With our qualified coaches and staff, a great group of returning players, and plenty more impact players to come, I am very excited to join Indy Eleven and confident that we will be fighting for the NASL Championship next season," said Shaffer. "After seeing and hearing all about the infamous Brickyard Battalion, I am absolutely ecstatic to be able to play in front of such a raucous supporters group and tremendous crowds in Indianapolis."

Season tickets for Indy Eleven's 2016 NASL campaign are available starting at just $9 per match - if first payment is received by December 31 - at IndyEleven.com, over the phone at 317-685-1100, and in person at the Indy Eleven front office (47 S. Pennsylvania Street, Suite 611) weekdays from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

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