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Republic FC Signs Montano, Exercises Five Options

By USLSoccer.com Staff, 11/10/16, 8:51PM EST

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Former Louisville defender joins Klimenta, Jakubek, Rodriguez, Cazarez in Sacramento


Photo courtesy Em-Dash Photography / Louisville City FC

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sacramento Republic FC continued to build its roster for the 2017, as it announced it had agreed to a contract with former Louisville City FC defender Enrique Montano, and also picked up contract options on five players – including defender Emrah Klimenta and goalkeepers Evan Newton and Dominik Jakubek – pending league and federation approval. 

A native of Salinas, Calif., Montano appeared in 32 regular-season contests for Louisville in his first two professional seasons, recording six assists as he helped the side reach the Eastern Conference Final of the 2016 USL Cup Playoffs in each of the past two seasons. A former San Jose State standout, Montano is the first new signing for Republic FC this offseason.

“Enrique is a young player who, at just 23-years-old, is beyond his years technically with the ball at his feet,” said Head Coach and Technical Director Paul Buckle. “When he became available, we reached out. After speaking with him, we learned of his desire to return to California, and I feel that he is right for the club. He knows the area, knows the club and has a very good left foot. His ability to deliver the ball will be a great asset for us as we move into next season.” 

In addition to Klimenta, Newton and Jakubek, Republic FC also exercised contract options on defender Carlos Rodriguez and midfielder Agustin Cazarez.

“All of these players were important members of our team last season,” said Republic FC Head Coach and Technical Director Paul Buckle. “Augie [Cazarez] is a pleasure to work with, is a hard worker and can play a lot of different positions, making him a great option to pick up. Emrah brings a lot of talent and is a very good professional. We have watched his rehab and he will greatly impact the team because he is such a great player down the right side. Carlos is also a very exciting pick up. We rate him very highly and he is a big part of our plans moving forward because of his ability on the ball, as well as his potential.”

Klimenta, the all-time Republic FC leader in USL minutes and starts, will return for his fourth season with the club after originally signing with Republic FC prior to the club’s inaugural season in the USL in 2014. Klimenta appeared in 14 USL matches in 2016 before suffering a season-ending ACL tear on July 2. The defender has five goals and six assists in 66 career USL appearances for Republic FC, and this past year was called up to the Montenegro National Team for the first time.

Cazarez first signed with Republic FC before the roster freeze deadline at the end of the 2014 USL season. Cazarez has made 31 USL appearances, including 24 starts over the last three seasons, scoring a goal. Last season, the midfielder made 14 appearances, recording 12 starts and 912 minutes in the regular season. Cazarez has shown the versatility to play both as a midfielder and a defender, appearing in both roles as a member of Republic FC.

Rodriguez made nine USL appearances in his rookie season, playing 422 minutes. In all competitions, Rodriguez made 13 appearances, including eight starts. He scored his first goal with Republic FC on May 18 in a U.S. Open Cup match against CD Aguiluchos USA.

Republic FC will bring back both of their goalkeepers from the 2016 USL season. Jakubek and Newton split time in goal in 2016, with Jakubek appearing in 16 of the club’s 30 USL regular season matches and Newton appearing in the other 14, as well as, in the club’s lone USL Cup Playoff match. Jakubek (0.88) and Newton (0.93) both posted a goals-against average below one in the past season, while each recorded six shutouts on the season.

The 2017 season will be the second with Republic FC for Newton and the fourth for Jakubek, who leads the club in USL goalkeeper appearances and minutes all-time with 34 and 2,849 respectively. Jakubek has also recorded the most USL shutouts in Republic FC history, recording 12 over the last three seasons.

“Picking up Dominik and Evan gives us two great options in goal for next season,” said Buckle. “Dominik is someone that keeps himself very fit and strong and is a great example to the other players on how to be a professional. That, and the fact that he played more than half the matches last year made it a no brainer. Evan’s character and his willingness to fight for his spot, as well as his ability when in games, showed us we wanted to bring him back.”

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