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Charlotte Independence

NASL Standout Diego Restrepo Signs with Independence

February 24, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Independence News Release


CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Feb. 24, 2015) - The Charlotte Independence today announced the signing of the eighth player in the expansion team's USL history. Goalkeeper Diego Restrepo has agreed to terms and will continue through the 2015 season with the Independence.

"I'm looking forward to helping establish a winning culture at the club," said Restrepo. "As an experienced player, I'm excited to bring my work ethic and leadership to a new locker room. I've had many experiences throughout my career, and I want to pass down those experiences to our younger players, to help develop the team."

Restrepo was most recently under contract with the NASL's Tampa Bay Rowdies, but missed the entire 2014 season after tearing his Achilles tendon during preseason training. He excelled for the Rowdies in 2013, earning "NASL Player of the Week" honors three times and being named to the "NASL Team of the Week" seven times. Restrepo in 2013 made 23 league starts and 26 across all competitions for the Rowdies, producing four shutouts. Against the Seattle Sounders of MLS in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, Restrepo's penalty kick save of Nigeria national team member Obafemi Martins secured a 1-0 upset victory for the Rowdies.

Prior to joining the Rowdies, Restrepo played professionally in South America for America De Cali of Colombia and Deportivo Tachira of Venezuela. The goalkeeper also played three years of collegiate soccer at the University of South Florida before transferring to the University of Virginia for his senior season in 2009. Restrepo quickly installed himself as the Cavaliers' starting goalkeeper and helped the team capture both the ACC Championship and NCAA Championship. During his championship season, Restrepo broke school records for games played (25), minutes played (2,348), shutouts (16), consecutive shutouts (11) and consecutive scoreless minutes (1,176). He was named MVP of the ACC Tournament and Defensive MVP of the NCAA Tournament. During his college years, Restrepo also played for the Bradenton Academics in the Premier Development League.

"Diego brings a high level of experience to the goalkeeper position, having been a top goalkeeper in the NASL as well as playing internationally in South America and winning an NCAA Championship at UVA," said Independence Head Coach Mike Jeffries. "His ability to play out of the back will aid in our possession, his quickness off his line will help thwart attacks, and his shot stopping ability will help keep the ball out of our net."

The 26-year-old Restrepo has been training in Florida since the end of the 2013 NASL season. He attended the Hyper Elite Training camp this past January and recently spent two weeks with MLS side DC United at its preseason camp. Restrepo said that his first goal with the Independence is to win the starting goalkeeper spot. "I hope that through my work on and off the field I'll be able to earn the starting nod from Coach. From there, my personal goals are always to help the team win, keep as many clean sheets as possible, be a lead on defense and, ultimately, be the best goalkeeper with the toughest defense in the USL. It would be a great story for the club to win the USL in our first year, while also making a deep run in the U.S. Open Cup. With hard work anything is possible."

Restrepo joins an Independence roster that already includes Jorge Herrera, Ben Newnam, Patrick Slogic, Andrew Ribeiro, Paolo DelPiccolo, Brandon Fricke and Jack Metcalf. With training camp currently underway, more player announcements are expected over the next week. "The Independence has large aspirations for its future and I have large aspirations for my career, so this makes for a perfect fit," said Restrepo. "I look forward to working with Head Coach Mike Jeffries and Goalkeeper Coach Philip Poole, who both have tremendous experience and knowledge of the game. They will help me continue to develop as a goalkeeper and a leader."

The Independence will open the 2015 USL season at home against local rival the Charleston Battery on Friday, March 27. The match will be played at 7:30pm on UNC-Charlotte's Transamerica Field. "I want the supporters to know how excited I am to start this new journey with a new club," said Restrepo. "I hope I get to meet all of them, and look forward to seeing them during our home opener and at all of our home games."

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