SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sacramento Republic FC announced on Saturday it had agreed to a contract with Mawolo “Gabe” Gissie for the 2017 USL season, pending league and federation approval. Gissie rejoins Republic FC, where he played from 2014-2015, after spending the 2016 USL season with Bethlehem Steel FC.

“It gives me great pleasure to welcome Gabe back to the club,” said Republic FC Head Coach and Technical Director Paul Buckle. “I was disappointed when he chose to move on after the 2015 season, so when he became available we began discussing bringing him back. I think he has huge potential and we are very excited to see him back with the club.”

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Gissie was one of Republic FC’s first signings, and its youngest, when he joined the club on February 11, 2014 at just 17 years, 80 days old. He appeared in 22 USL matches in two seasons for Republic FC, scoring a goal and recording two assists. Gissie became the youngest goal scorer in Republic FC history with his first professional goal, scored against OKC Energy FC on June 20, 2015 when he was 18 years, 209 days old.

A native of Liberia, Gissie immigrated to the United States in 2008 as a refugee of the Second Liberian Civil War. Gissie moved to Massachusetts, where he went through the ranks of the New England Revolution Academy, before leaving to join Republic FC in 2014. Gissie remains the youngest player to sign a contract with Republic FC.