RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers announced on Friday the club had signed former San Antonio FC forward Franck Tayou for the 2017 season. A member of the U.S. Futsal National Team, Tayou will be available for selection for Saturday’s match against the Tampa Bay Rowdies at City Stadium (7 p.m. ET | Preview). 

Tayou signed with San Antonio FC midseason in 2016 and made an immediate impact, tying for the team-high with five goals in 17 appearances last season in the USL. He previously spent time with other professional indoor teams including the Las Vegas Legends and the Tulsa Revolution, while also previously playing for the Premier Development League’s Real Maryland and the Las Vegas Mobsters.

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The 6-foot-2 forward brings extensive professional indoor soccer experience to Richmond, most recently finishing the 2016-17 season as Major Arena Soccer League top scorer with a career best 57 goals. Leading the Soles de Sonora to back-to-back MASL championship appearances, the two-time league MVP produced a league-best 72 points in 20 games. He also earned two caps with the U.S. Futsal National Team in 2016, playing a two-legged tie against Canada in CONCACAF Futsal Championship qualifying. 

Originally from Cameroon, Tayou relocated to Las Vegas as a child and briefly attended West Virginia University. He led West Virginia in goals in 2010 and posted nine during his collegiate career en route to consecutive NCAA tournament appearances.