Meilleur-Giguère Returns to Fury FC for 2019; Young Luca Ricci Added
February 1, 2019 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
OTTAWA - Ottawa Fury FC announced on Friday the renewal of its affiliation with MLS side Montreal Impact. This affiliation has been at the core of some fruitful player deals in the past two years, few more productive for Fury FC than the one that saw Canadian defender Thomas Meilleur-Giguère spend the better part of the last two seasons in Ottawa.
Meilleur-Giguère (May-yer Jee-gair) will once again return to Ottawa on loan for the 2019 season. The 21-year-old featured in 31 of Fury FC's 34 games in 2018, including 26 starts (half of which were victories) as part of the Ottawa defence that gave many opponents headaches. Overall, he competed for a total of 2,944 minutes across all competitions in 2018. He quickly established himself as a reliable and determined player, and his performance and hard work throughout the year earned him the 2018 Fury FC Young Player of the Year Award.
In addition to Meilleur-Giguère's loan agreement, Ottawa Fury FC announced the signing of Montreal Impact Academy product Luca Ricci (Loo-kah Ree-Chee). A Montreal-native, Ricci spent three years with the Academy before being loaned out to USL Phoenix Rising FC where he played alongside Ivory Coast legend Didier Drogba, featuring in 11 matches. At 20 years old, Ricci is signing his first professional contract with Fury FC.
"We're pleased to see Thomas return to Ottawa this season, and to have the opportunity to bring in Luca," commented Julian de Guzman, General Manager of Ottawa Fury FC. "The signing of Luca is in line with our mission of developing young talented players. Like others who have already been able to take the next step in their development (Adonijah Reid, Daniel Kinumbe, Clement Bayiha, David Paulmin), we hope that Luca can grow in our environment, to the long term benefit of Fury FC. We'll give him the time and opportunity to develop here."
Both signings are conditional to league and federation approval.
2019 Fury FC roster breakdown
Forwards (1): François
Midfielders (7): Dixon*, Fall, Gagnon-Laparé*, Mannella*, Oliveira, Ricci*, Ward
Defenders (7): Attakora*, Barnathan, Haworth*, Meilleur-Giguère*, Obasi, Tissot*, Vilfort*
Goalkeepers (1): Monsalve*
* denotes Canadian player
Ottawa Fury FC will kick off its 2019 USL Championship season on Saturday, March 9 as it travels to face the Charleston Battery. Fury FC will open its 2019 home schedule on Saturday, April 6 when Nashville SC visits TD Place. Fans can join the Fury FC Family right away by purchasing a season membership to receive our full offering of features and benefits. For all the details visit furyfcmemberships.com.
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United Soccer League Championship Stories from February 1, 2019
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- Rowdies Sign Florida Native Shawn Barry - Tampa Bay Rowdies
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- Fresno FC Places U23s and Ladies Team on Hiatus - Fresno FC
- Meilleur-Giguère Returns to Fury FC for 2019; Young Luca Ricci Added - Ottawa Fury FC
- Rowdies Welcome Andrew Tinari to 2019 Roster - Tampa Bay Rowdies
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