RENO, Nev. – Reno 1868 FC announced on Monday it had signed Christo Michaelson, Joey Chica, Sam Gleadle and Connor Johnson to one-year deals, pending league and federation approval.

All four players have spent the preseason with Reno prior to earning a spot on the 2018 roster and are alumni of the Premier Development League.

Michaelson most recently played for Portland Timbers U-23s side in the PDL and earned All-Western Conference honors in 2017 as he recorded three goals and one assist in 14 appearances to lead the side to the 2017 PDL Playoffs. Michaelson had previously had a standout career at Gonzaga, where he was an All-WCC Honorable Mention in 2016. Michaelson scored 10 goals and notched four assists in his four years with the Bulldogs.

“Christo plays the No. 6 position and is aggressive, tenacious and a good ball-winner,” Russell said. “He’s another young player we’re looking forward to developing for the future.”

Gleadle most recently spent time with Albuquerque Sol FC after graduating from the University of New Mexico where he was teammates with 2017 USL Rookie of the Year, Chris Wehan.  A four-year starter, Gleadle scored three goals and notched two assists in his senior year with the Lobos.

“Sam is quick, dynamic and has good feet,” Reno head coach Ian Russell said. “He’ll be looking to get some minutes here with the team.”

Johnson was the West Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2016 before joining the PDL’s Golden State Force. Johnson earned All-First Team West Coast Conference honors his senior year assisting in six shutouts in conference play.

“Connor is a very athletic center back that needs to be polished up a bit,” Russell said. “That’s what we’re looking to do here in Reno. But he physically has great tools and another great young player we’re looking to develop for the future.”

Chica recently spent the 2017 season with the PDL’s Fresno Fuego FC. The midfielder/forward was an offensive force in college, most recently scoring five goals at California Baptist University. He earned three All-California Collegiate Athletic Association honors, including back-to-back first team recognition as a sophomore and junior.

“Chica is a really technical player, who can play a couple of different positions whether it is underneath the forward or in the midfield,” Russell said. “He’s a good player to develop in the future.”