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NASL North Carolina FC

RailHawks Exercise Contract Options on Six Players

December 2, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
North Carolina FC News Release


CARY, NC (December 2, 2014) - With the 2014 Carolina RailHawks season in the books, preparations for the 2015 season are now in full swing. After announcing that Colin Clarke signed a new multi-year contract last week, the team announced today that it has exercised the contract options on six players from its 2014 roster.

"Being able to bring back a core group of the players is an important piece for our plans in 2015," said Head Coach Colin Clarke. "This is the first of many moves as we build a championship roster for next season."

The club picked up the options of defenders Daniel Scott and Connor Tobin; Midfielders Leo Osaki, Nazmi Albadawi and Tiyi Shipalane; and forward Daniel Jackson. They join Nacho Novo on the current 2015 roster.

Tiyi Shipalane, the most exciting player in the NASL, will be returning for his fifth season with the RailHawks. Shipalane, a fan favorite among the RailHawks fans has amassed 5,514 minutes over 91 appearances and scored 19 goals including a goal of the year candidate against the New York Cosmos (watch his goal here).

Spanish forward Nacho Novo will also be returning to the RailHawks next season. Novo, a forward with 16-years of professional experience, spent most of his playing career with Glasgow Rangers where he was inducted into their Hall of Fame earlier this year. After joining the RailHawks in September, he would go on to earn multiple NASL Team of the Week honors, and one of his goals was nominated for the NASL Goal of the Year Award (watch his goal here).

Over the years, the RailHawks have been known for having a strong offense and for securing young talented players. The return of former Wolfpack and North Carolina product Nazmi Albadawi, Leo Osaki and Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup hero Daniel Jackson ensures that that the tradition continues.

With the return of Tobin and Scott, the RailHawks will be able to start shaping their defense. They combined for over 4,000 minutes in 46 matches throughout the NASL Season and were leaders on and off the field.

At the same time, the RailHawks announced that they have declined the contract options of defenders Jordan Burt and Uriah Bentick; Midfielders Gabe Latigue and Danny Barrera; and Forward Aaron King.

Clarke finalized by saying, "We're currently working toward new deals for several players who are out of contract or whose options have been declined and look to finalize those in the coming weeks. In addition, we are in discussion with a variety of exciting players with an eye toward building a championship roster in 2015."

RailHawks 2015 Ticket Packages are currently on sale and can be purchased by calling the Johnson Maserati Box Office at (919) 459-8144 or e-mail

Tickets@CarolinaRailHawks.com. For more information on Season Tickets and Flex Plans visit www.CarolinaRailHawks.com. Keep up with all RailHawks news by following them on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

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