ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Rowdies announced on Friday the club had signed 2016 PDL Goalkeeper of the Year finalist Nico Campbell. The signing is pending league and federation approval, and per club and league policy, further contract details were not disclosed.

Campbell, 22, starred for the Des Moines Menace in the 2016 PDL season, and was named the No. 14 prospect in the PDL in addition to earning USL All-Central Conference honors for the side. Campbell recorded a 0.44 goals-against average for the Menace as the side conceded the fewest goals in the PDL’s regular season.

“I think the first thing you notice about Nico is his size,” Rowdies Head Coach Stuart Campbell said. “At 6-foot-4, he’s got the height and wingspan you look for in a goalie, but he’s also very smooth in his movement, which is a great combination. We liked what we saw from Nico during the Florida Cup and we’re excited to have signed him.”

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Campbell also competed collegiately at Valparaiso University, and was named the Horizon League Goalkeeper of the Year and All-Conference First Team in his junior season. The native of Kingston, Jamaica also claimed All-Horizon League Second Team honors this past fall.

This is Campbell’s first professional contract. He completed a trial with the Rowdies in January and played 45 minutes in both of the Rowdies’ Florida Cup matches against VfL Wolfsburg and Atletico Mineiro.