PHOENIX (November 27, 2018) — Phoenix Rising Football Club announced today that defender Amadou Dia would return for the 2019 season. Per club policy, the details of the contract will not be made public.

“I am honored to be returning to Phoenix and I am looking forward to getting back to work with my teammates and coaches next season, Dia said. “We are all hungry to build on the 2018 season and bring the fans of Phoenix the trophy they desire.”

Dia officially returned to the club for his second season on December 6, 2017, and played 3,086 minutes (best on the team) in 35 appearances last season. He also contributed three assists to the club’s record-breaking offense and created the third-most chances on the team (31). Defensively, Dia was second on the team in tackles won (30) and third on the team in clearances (85). Dia played every minute of the club’s 2018 playoff run and was named to the USL Team of the week in Week 5.

Dia first signed with the club on June 9th, 2017, and made his club debut on June 10th against Whitecaps FC 2. In his debut, Dia provided the assist for Didier Drogba’s first-ever goal with Phoenix Rising. He went on to tally three assists and two goals in addition to being named to the USL Team of the Week once in 2017.

Prior to his time in Phoenix, Dia spent four years playing college soccer at Clemson University, where he appeared in 70 matches and scored four goals while adding four assists from 2011-2014. In 2015, he was the 29th overall pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft by Sporting Kansas City. In his rookie season with Sporting Kansas City, he appeared in 22 matches (13 starts) and notched an assist. In 2016 he appeared in ten matches (nine starts). He finished the 2016 season the MLS side Montreal Impact.

Dia becomes the fourth player officially announced for the 2019 roster. He joins fellow returnees James Musa, Collin Fernandez, and Joey Farrell.



About Phoenix Rising FC

Phoenix Rising FC is the highest-level professional soccer franchise in Arizona’s history. The club is owned by legendary Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker, Didier Drogba, Advantage Sports Union CEO, Alex Zheng, Executive Chairman of Kona Grill, Berke Bakay, and an impressive collection of business leaders and international celebrities. Established in 2016, Phoenix Rising FC is one of 10 cities applying for Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion and currently plays in the USL Championship, the largest Division 2 professional league in the world. In October 2017, Phoenix Rising FC acquired FC Tucson and is bringing USL League One professional soccer to Tucson beginning in the spring of 2019. For season tickets or more information call 623-594-9606 or visit PHXRisingFC.com. You can also follow the team on Facebook (PHXRisingFC), Twitter (@PHXRisingFC), Instagram (@PHXRisingFC), Snapchat (PHXRisingFC) and YouTube (PhoenixRisingFootballClub).

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