SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sacramento Republic FC announced on Sunday it had signed attacking midfielder Villyan Bijev for the 2018 season, with a club option for the 2019 season, pending league and federation approval.

A 2016 USL All-League selection for the Portland Timbers 2, Bijev joined Republic FC on loan during the 2017 season and recorded two goals and two assists to help the side reach the USL Cup Playoffs.

“Bijev is a natural goal scorer that will add firepower to our attack,” said Republic FC General Manager Todd Dunivant. “He is a player we were really happy to bring back and someone that our fans know very well both from the time he has played with us and with T2.” 

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Bijev earned All-League honors in 2016 as he recorded eight goals and a league-leading 10 assists for T2 as the side just missed out on a postseason berth. In his career, Bijev has made 63 appearances overall in the USL, recording 17 goals and 12 assists.