RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers announced on Friday the addition of Canadian international Mallan Roberts and homegrown midfielder Finnlay Wyatt, as well as the return of Richmond United Academy midfielder Simon Fitch for the 2017 season. The signings are pending league and federation approval.

A 6-foot-2 defender, Roberts signed with FC Edmonton in 2013 following a stint with the club’s Academy program.  Making 46 appearances in an FC Edmonton uniform, he tallied three goals and amassed 4,026 minutes over four seasons before going on loan with Ottawa Fury FC in 2016 where he played 22 games.

“Mallan is a powerful defender with considerable Division 2 playing experience,” said Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Director of Soccer.  “He's still young with plenty of room for development and we look forward to him fulfilling that potential with the Kickers.”

Born in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Roberts gained Canadian citizenship in 2013 and earned his first international call-up when he debuted for Canada in a 2015 World Cup Qualifier against Dominica. Prior to joining the FC Edmonton Reserves in 2012, he played for the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in Sierra Leone.

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A 2016 Big South All-Academic Team honoree, Wyatt recently concluded his career at Longwood University, contributing 11 goals and 13 assists in 53 appearances.  A native of Sheffield, England, he spent time with Sheffield Wednesday’s Academy before relocating to Midlothian, Virginia.  Joining the Richmond Kickers Youth Soccer Club at the age of 14, he spent time with the Kickers USSF Development Academy teams, also earning All-Region and All-Metro honors with Midlothian High School.

Fitch rejoins the Kickers for his second season on an Academy contract. The seventeen-year old midfielder, who has been part of the Richmond United Academy since the age of 9, currently represents Richmond United on the U18 USSF Development Academy team and has committed to George Washington University in the fall.

“Simon and Finnlay represent what the Kickers are all about, which is to provide opportunities for young local talent to showcase the past and present of our youth development program,” said Cowlishaw.  “Both have had successful Academy careers and now have the opportunity to replicate that at the professional level for the Kickers first team.”