ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Saint Louis FC announced on Monday the club had signed English midfielder Lewis Hilton, pending league and federation approval and receipt of his P-1 visa.

“I’m excited to be joining Saint Louis FC for the 2018 season,” said Hilton. “Anthony has put a very strong squad together and I cannot wait to contribute to the group. I’m really looking forward to the challenge and to play in front of the fans, especially the St. Louligans.”

A former standout for the Charlotte Independence, Hilton made 57 appearances over his first two professional seasons, helping Charlotte reach the USL Cup Playoffs both years. The 24-year-old recorded seven goals and five assists for the Independence, and last season recorded a passing accuracy rate of 86.6 percent on 67.5 passes per 90 minutes.

“I’m delighted to have Lewis signed as he is a really technically-gifted central midfield player that should complement the other midfielders with his creativity,” said STLFC Head Coach Anthony Pulis. “Lewis has a good range of passing, excellent delivery from set pieces, and possesses the mentality and drive to fit in with the rest of the squad.”

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Hilton had previously shone both collegiately for Division II Young Harris College in Georgia for the 2012-2015 seasons, where he made 80 appearances and scored 25 goals with 30 assists during his career, and for the Premier Development League’s Ocala Stampede, with whom he won the USL Southern Conference championship in both the 2014 and 2015 seasons.

A two-time NSCAA All-American for Young Harris, Hilton was named to the PDL All-Southern Conference Team for the Stampede in 2015, and finished his PDL career with 11 goals in 34 appearances.