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Duke Makes Switch to Orange County

By USLSoccer.com Staff, 12/14/17, 2:32PM EST

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Led Swope Park to back-to-back USL Western Conference championships


Photo courtesy Michael Rincon / Phoenix Rising FC

IRVINE, Calif. – Orange County SC made its first major addition of the offseason on Thursday as it announced the signing of former Swope Park Rangers captain Christian Duke for the 2018 USL season. Duke had led the Rangers to back-to-back USL Western Conference championships in the past two seasons, and is OCSC’s first signing since appointing Braeden Cloutier as its new Head Coach.

“I’m very excited and thankful for this opportunity to play for Orange County SC,” said Duke. “The vision of the club and the ambitions of being the best is an attractive environment to be a part of. I cannot wait to play for Coach Cloutier who has played at the highest level and has a lot of knowledge of the game. I hope to bring trophies to the club for the city and fans.”

Duke appeared in every game of each of the past two seasons for the Rangers, making 70 appearances for the club as Swope Park became the first team to reach the USL Cup in back-to-back seasons. Duke has made 125 USL appearances in his career, and claimed the 2013 championship with Orlando City SC.

“I’m delighted and privileged to have the opportunity to work with Christian,” said Cloutier. “I have been an admirer of his talent for the past few years. He is a quality human being and has all the characteristics we want at Orange County SC and will look to build a successful team around him. He leads by example through his discipline, work rate and ambition which will be a great example for the entire squad.”

A former player for the University of San Diego, Duke was originally selected by Sporting Kansas City in the 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft. The Kansas native then became the first signing in Swope Park Rangers history prior to the club’s inaugural season in 2016, and went on to record more than 6,000 minutes of action over the past two seasons. This past season Duke finished second in the USL with 1,894 passes and an 84.2 pass accuracy rate, while also recording seven assists and 35 key passes for the Rangers.

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